The Russian-Egyptian Business Council is seeking to increase the volume of trade exchange between the two countries to US$5.7 billion this year, chairman of the Russian side of the council said Monday.

Mikhail Orlov said that the Russian business community is looking forward to boosting its businesses in Egypt to benefit from the growing political rapprochement between Cairo and Moscow.

Orlov made these remarks during the Russian-Egyptian Business Forum proceedings that kicked off in Cairo,

Moreover, Orlov further added that the volume of trade between Egypt and Russia in the pharmaceutical industries sector is likely to generate an annual return up to US$2.5 million.