Under the title “An Introduction to the Qualifying Program for Exporting to African Countries,” the introductory lecture of the program was launched, which is organized by the International Trade Unit of the Egyptian-African Businessmen’s Association, headed by Dr. Yousrey Elsharkawi.
The list of lecturers included Dr. Maha Mahgoub, an international expert in human resources and head of the Labor and Social Responsibility Committee, Dr.Hussein Gomaa , an expert and lecturer in shipping and customs logistics and a member of the association, “Professor Safwat Sobhi” an expert in export and international marketing, and “Professor Karim Al-Barqouqi” an expert Mali specializes in economic and export programs.
The lecturers announced their intention to present distinguished practical lectures, which ultimately represent an integrated reference for all businessmen and their employees who wish to expand in the depths of the continent, regardless of the size of their companies.
Dr. Yousrey ElSharkawi, chairman of the association In his speech during the first introductory lecture of the program, explained that organizing the qualifying program for exporting to African countries comes as a continuation of the implementation of the association’s plan and vision, which aims to create a new generation of Egyptian exporters, and encourage businessmen to develop export products to enter into the African markets are strong.
Elsharkawi stressed that the association is striving hard; To help member and non-member companies to export their products, and increase revenue for the country; To contribute to the state’s plan to reach $100 billion, stressing that the association is working to open the door wide for small, micro and medium-sized companies; To be able to expand and export in the countries of the continent without apprehension.
He explained that a group of specialized lecturers was formed; To be able to assist companies in choosing target markets, and how to achieve tangible results from exporting, noting that the association cooperates with all parties and coordinates in accordance with the directions of the competent authorities and with the ministries, specialized agencies and relevant institutions; To make it easier for companies to access African markets.
Elsharkawi added that the program will include a set of free lectures; To assist private sector companies and enable them to find promising African markets, pointing out that the importance of the program lies in that it is purely applied with evidence, methods and mechanisms and affects the shedding light on preparing an integrated export plan for African markets, in addition to identifying strategies for exporting to Africa, and legal and financial transactions in foreign markets.
Mr. Safwat Sobhi, an expert in international marketing and export, pointed to Egypt’s great position within the African continent, stressing that this qualifies the Egyptian products exported; To take a great position on the continent, and to be able to confront the products of countries that are trying to expand their commercial influence in Africa, stressing that he will explain during the lectures the system of establishing marketing databases, to facilitate creating opportunities for the presence of the Egyptian product in the African market.
Dr. Hussein Gomaa , an expert and lecturer on shipping and customs logistics, stressed that Egyptian products are able to compete strongly in all African markets, and because the African market is one of the most important target markets, we must expand export support to these markets, explaining that he will explain during the program everything related to Shipping and customs regulations and rules, including: customs clearance procedures, how to exchange goods with some African countries, the new customs system, and preferential agreements between Egypt and African countries.
Dr. Hussein Gomaa added that we must take advantage of the Egyptian trade agreements with the countries of the continent, especially the COMESA Agreement and the Continental Trade Agreement, and study the impact of these agreements on the volume of Egyptian trade, which is still in the range of 3.5 to 4 billion dollars, which requires work to activate all commercial agreements.
Mr. Karim Al-Barqouqi, a financial expert specializing in export programs, confirmed that Egyptian exports to Africa during 2020, without the Arab countries, amounted to $4.8 billion, stressing that this matter needs more effort to raise this figure, especially that the volume of trade in Africa reaches 500 billion dollars.
Al-Barqouqi added that despite the state’s support and the capabilities of Egyptian companies, companies may be exposed to many risks during the export process, stressing the need to remove obstacles to legal transactions in African markets, and re-education and definition of them. He explained that he will explain during the lectures everything related to legal and financial transactions in the markets African countries, and how companies can protect themselves and reduce exposure to those risks.
Dr. Maha Mahgoub, an international expert in human resources, pointed to the importance of the human element, stressing that it is the real capital of any country, aiming to increase exports, stressing that there are huge export opportunities at the present time. Hence, job opportunities increase.
She stressed that the lectures will prepare an advanced and capable export specialist, and explained that they will explain the concept of vision and strategy, how to set the company’s goals, and its role in attracting workers in the facility or factory, stressing that human resources aim to follow the institution’s strategy to achieve its goals through its employees.
The qualification program for the export of African countries aims to prepare an integrated export plan for the African market, learn how to identify target markets, understand marketing and export strategies, know all legal procedures, build, qualify and manage work teams in the field of export; To increase the competitiveness of Egyptian products in various African markets, the program deals with freight logistics and customs due to the importance of this issue in light of the high costs of transporting and shipping goods to the African market.