By: Gazette Staff CAIRO, April 27, 2018 – Egypt's non-petroleum exports increased by 15 per cent to US$6.3 billion, compared with $5.5 billion during the first quarter year-on-year, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The volume of foreign trade grew by 9 per cent to US$21.2 million, compared with US$19.5 million year-on-year, according to a report by the General Organization for Import and Export Control sent to the Ministry. "Egypt's trade deficit improved two per cent in the first quarter of the year," Minister of Trade and Industry Tarek Qabil said. Qabil added that nine sectors hit highest record during the first quarter of the current fiscal year: chemical and fertilisers, ready-made textiles, engineering industries, weaving and spinning, furniture, food industries, construction, agricultural crops, and medical industries.