Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea discussed with Minister of Public Enterprise Sector Hisham Tawfik ways to benefit from untapped lands affiliated to the latter through establishing workshops for small industries to create job opportunities for youth, as part of the government's keenness to support small and medium enterprises. Both sides also discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation to increase Egyptian exports to the African market, as part of the Gosoor (Bridges) initiative, which aims to boost intra-trade between Egypt and other African countries. The initiative targets, in its first stage, 10 East African countries. Gamea said that there is strong coordination between all the ministries concerned with the Ministry of Trade and Industry's plan to increase productivity and enhance Egyptian exports in global markets. She noted that this can provide many decent job opportunities for youth, noting that the Ministry wants to benefit from the Gosoor initiative to increase Egyptian exports to African countries, especially exports of small and medium enterprises, which enjoy great competitiveness in the African market. For his part, Hisham Tawfik said the Gosoor provides an integrated series of transportation and logistics services through its subsidiaries, and includes transport of goods, assembly, maritime transport, customs clearance, and the provision of permanent warehouses and exhibitions, as well as insurance and marketing services, commercial centres, and distribution agents for Egyptian exporters. He added that coordination is currently taking place with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority to create an electronic platform for marketing Egyptian products in African markets. The platform aims to collect Egyptian-made products in an electronic catalogue for marketing and provide mediation services. Concerning Gamea's suggestion, Tawfik pointed out that he intends to provide small workshops for SMEs owners with areas starting from 100 sqm to provide job opportunities for young people.
