Australian representatives in Cairo work towards eradicating undesirable practices Australia and Egypt are looking to fully resume livestock trade after a program on Australian television highlighted inhumane practices against livestock in Egypt. Last February, the Australian version of "60 Minutes showed footage of the slaughterhouse in Cairo's Basateen area. The program created a stir amongst the Australian public and led to curbs on the livestock trade between the two countries. "The trade to Australia was shut down after the show because of practices in Basateen. Australians viewed it as undesirable for their livestock, said Peter Bowden of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). Bowden added, "It's a high profile issue in Australia. However, I've been working with the Basateen slaughterhouse to improve animal welfare. We've [also] been working with the Egyptian government and industry. MLA Regional Manager for the Middle East and Africa Ian Ross added to Bowden's remarked: "The Australian livestock industry has provided equipment to aid in this issue. Egypt has 476 licensed slaughterhouses, the biggest being in Basateen. Australia exported 43,071 tons of mutton, 17,685 tons of lamb and 3,313 tons of beef to the Middle East in 2006 at a total value of $242 million. Australia is the only non-Muslim country in the world whose government legislates the production of Halal meat (livestock slaughter in accordance with Islamic Sharia), a process regulated through the Australian Government Muslim Slaughter program. Bowden and Ross were speaking at a seminar entitled "Doing Business with Australia hosted by the Egyptian Businessmen's Association (EBA) in Cairo Wednesday. It is an Australian initiative designed to strengthen business ties with the Middle East. Among the panelists was Australian Ambassador Robert Bowker, Senior Trade Commissioner at the embassy Jack Hajjar, EBA board member Ali Al Korey and Moustapha Fathy from Australian electrical accessories company CLIPSAL. "We hope we can increase the trade between Egypt and Australia, Hajjar said, mentioning that "Australia has world leading technologies in certain parts of the telecommunications [sector], such as fiber optics. On the difficulty of freight shipping in the transport of goods between the two countries Hajjar said, "We always hope that we have a better connection. The shipping line to the UAE is quite good, but shipping lines with Egypt could be better. The embassy also announced that it would launch a new exchange program for young professionals from the Arab League member states. Under the auspices of the Council of Australia-Arab relations, the CAAR Young Professionals Exchange Program 2007 will see young Arab professionals spending four weeks in Australia in August for a professional development program. The program will entail work experience in Australia, workshops and seminars on understanding Australian business culture and meetings with Arab and Australian business leaders. According to figures from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, trade between Egypt and Australia totaled $334 million in 2006. Imports from Australia into Egypt accounted for the majority of that number, standing at $321.2 million. Egypt exported only $12.8 million to Australia. Australian investment in Egypt totaled LE 45 million according to the latest figures from the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones.
