CAIRO: Egyptian textile and apparel exports to the United States rose by 11.2 percent this year, according to a report by the Trade Representative Office in Washington, D.C. The report showed that the value of exports under the ‘QIZ' protocol reached US $667 million from January to September of 2010 as compared with $600 million during the same period in 2009. The report monitors Egyptian clothing and textile exports, said Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Minister of Trade and Industry. Cotton garments represented the most important export item, reaching 73.9 percent of the total clothing exports in the first 9 months of 2010. The number marks a 10 percent increase over 2009. Egypt was ranked among the largest exporters of clothing to the U.S. market, particularly for blue jeans, cotton shorts for men and boys, and shirts and trousers made from synthetic materials. Rashid said the coming period will witness another increase in garment and textile exports in the context of implementing the Ministry's strategy to double exports during the next four years. He said the Ministry is keen to support the industry. Mamdouh Mustafa, Chairman of the Commercial Representation, said that Egypt kept its rank as number 17 among exporters of clothing and textiles to the United States. BM
