Egypt officially submits a request to be COMESA secretary general

Egypt has officially submitted a request to Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to serve as the secretary general during the upcoming period, the minister of industry and trade Tarek Qabil said.

He added that such decision reflects the state keenness to strengthen Egypt’s role in the African continent and develop the trade and investments relation with countries which are members in the COMESA.

“Around $1.7 billion are the value of exports from Egypt to COMESA countries, while$600 millionb are imports”, the minister added.

Egypt’s main exports included plastics, aromatic oils, sugars, machinery, electrical equipment, spare parts, and natural, artificial or semi-precious pearls.

It also included metals, mineral fuels, minerals, vegetables, fruits, nuts, manufactured materials, soaps, washing machines, lubricants and steel materials.

Qabil added that there is a great opportunity that would win this position, especially when the northern region that include Egypt, Libya and  Sudan has not served in this position before.

The COMESA includes 19 countries; Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Egypt has joined COMESA since May 1998 in order to promote its economic relations with the rest of member states, especially the trade relations.