The Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC) and the director-general of the European neighbourhood policy and enlargement negotiations, Christian Danielsson, discussed Friday reinforcing Egyptian–European cooperation. The discussions took place during the Economic Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, and were held in the presence of Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb, and the Ministers of Planning, Supply, Solidarity, Electricity, and Youth. From the European side, Ambassador James Moran and director of European Aid attended. During the discussions, FEDCOC President Ahmed El-Wakil, Vice President Mohamed Al-Masry and Director-General Alaa Ezz presented the economic and political roadmap, and the procedural and legislative reforms and investment opportunities in Egypt. The total value of Egyptian exports to the EU between January and July 2014 increased by 20%, recording €5.4bn. This compares to the same period in 2013, which amounted to €4.5bn, according to a report by the Egyptian International Trade Point (EITP). Meanwhile, Egyptian imports from the EU between January and July 2014 reached €9.6bn, compared to €8.6bn in the same period in 2013, an increase of 11%, the report added. FEDCOC has played a large role in marketing the Summit, with El-Wakil and Ezz appointed "ambassadors" for the occasion by Mehleb, and commenced with an integrated marketing programme to promote the summit.
