Egyptian non-petroleum exports jumped 4 percent in March 2016 to hit US$1.9 billion opposed to $1.8 billion in March 2015, trade and industry minister Tarek Qabil stated Thursday.

The minister clarified that this increase is due to the procedures adopted by the ministry to reach its targets to upgrade Egyptian exports besides reviving all exporting sectors.

Qabil noted that a number of exporting sectors saw remarkable improvement during March 2016 notably agricultural crops one whose exports recorded $280 million versus $256 million a year earlier, registering 9 percent growth.

In March 2016, Egyptian chemicals and fertilizers exports registered $289 million compared to $259 million at the same period of 2015, marking 12 percent increase.

Minister Qabil clarified that EU states were the largest importers of Egyptian non-petroleum products during March 2016 with imports estimated at $1.3 billion versus $1.2 billion in March 2015. Meanwhile, Egypt’s non-petroleum exports to Arab states hit $1.2 billion from $2.1 billion at  the same period of 2015.

Egypt’s non-petroleum exports to U.S. reached around US$272 million in March 2016 compared to $316 million in March 2015, while African non-Arab states got exports estimated at $274 million compared to $276 million a year earlier.

Qabil noted that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, U.S., Italy, and Libya were the most important markets receiving Egyptian exports during March 2016.