Munir Fakhry Abd el-Nour, Minister of Industry and Commerce, said that the government is aiming to restore Egypt's leadership in the African continent, through the support and development of trade relations with various African countries and blocs. He pointed out that economic integration between the countries of African continent will increase trade and joint investments, in addition to overcome any problems that may disturb political relations between these countries, according to Al-Bawabh News. The minister statements came during a meeting in Cairo held with Secretary-General of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Sindiso Ndema Ngwenya. During the meeting they discussed proposal for a free trade agreement linking the three major African blocs, COMESA, SADC and East African Legislative Assembly, to promote joint trade and attract investments between the 26 countries in the three blocs. The merger of the 26 markets that represent half of the African Union members will raise the volume of trade and will increase investment. The agreement includes cooperation in three key areas, which are integration of markets, industrial development and infrastructure development. The minister pointed out that it is planned to launch this agreement from Egypt in the presence of members of the three blocs.
