Egypt's exports of building materials climbed 8 percent in first 7 months of 2018, recording $3.2 billion according to the Export Council for Building Materials (ECBM). The building materials exports have recorded $ 2.973 billion during the corresponding period a year earlier. ECBM Executive Director Hanan Ismail told Amwal Al Ghad that the sector has succeeded during the first 7 months of 2018 in achieving 51.3 percent of the amount targeted for the current year. She added that metal industries have captured 77.5 percent of the total amount of exports during the first 7 months of 2018 registering $2.487 billion with an increase of 8 percent compared to $2.3 billion. On the other hand, the building materials exported have posted $722 million in comparison to $667 million. A monthly report issued by ECBM showed that jewelry and precious stones on has acquired 36.6% of Egypt's total exports of building materials and metal industries during the period “January-July 2018” despite its decline during that period by 6 % to record $1.174 billion against 1.246 billion during the same period of 2017. Iron and steel exports rose by 13% to reach $ 618 million during the period «January-July» 2018 compared to $ 545 million during the same period the previous year, and exports of aluminum and its products increased by about 54% to $ 390 million compared to $ 254 million. Copper exports and its products during the first 7 months of this year climbed by about 12% to $ 136 million compared to $ 121 million in the same period last year, as zinc and its products exports rose to $ 1.432 million compared to $ 882 thousand dollars during the same period last year, an increase It amounted to 62%.
