Egypt's non-oil exports rose 21 per cent to $36.64 billion in the first nine months of 2025 from $30.36 billion a year earlier, data from the General Organisation for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) showed on Wednesday. The country's trade deficit narrowed by 18 per cent to $22.77 billion in the January-September period. The United Arab Emirates was Egypt's top export destination, with shipments surging 169 per cent to $5.938 billion, followed by Türkiye at $2.394 billion (up 4 per cent), Saudi Arabia at $2.262 billion (down 12 per cent), Italy at $2.099 billion (up 29 per cent), and the United States at $2.081 billion (up 24 per cent). Exports to these five markets grew 42 per cent overall to $14.774 billion, the data showed. By sector, building materials led with $11.688 billion (up 51 per cent), followed by chemicals and fertilisers at $6.844 billion (up 10 per cent), food industries at $5.146 billion (up 9 per cent), engineering and electronics at $4.723 billion (up 11 per cent), and agricultural crops at $3.631 billion (up 2 per cent). Other key sectors included ready-made garments at $2.538 billion (up 24 per cent), textiles at $874 million (up 3 per cent), and medical industries at $707 million (up 25 per cent). Exports from the printing, packaging, paper, books and publications sector stood at $705 million (down 2 per cent). Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Hassan El-Khatib said the government remains focused on sustaining export growth through policies that enhance competitiveness, expand value-added industries and open new markets. He added that Egypt aims to cut customs clearance times, streamline trade procedures, and leverage free trade agreements and export rebate programmes to strengthen the link between trade and investment. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
