With more than ten innovative and meticulously studied recommendations and proposals, The activities of the conference “The Future of Intra-African Trade… Between Reality and Hope” were concluded in Cairo. Organized by the Egyptian-African Businessmen’s Association, Headed by Dr. Yousrey ElSharkawi, This came through the Zoom application, with the participation of senior speakers in this regard, and the follow-up and attendance of a number of corresponding associations and federations and those interested in African countries. On September 15th.
El-Sharkawi stressed that Africa’s administration in commercial representation is successful, supportive, and works hard at this stage. Pointing out that the association is interested in avoiding repeating the traditional challenges known over the years, But we have to pay attention to intra-trade and its true concept in Africa, We are interested in the presence of Egyptian businessmen in Africa in a systematic and good manner, Increasing the rates of intra-regional trade more than what is currently available, and work to improve trade rates among all African countries, And creating a new generation by expanding the base of exporters within the continent with modern operational foundations.
It is worth noting that the most important speakers at the conference were Dr. Abdel Aziz Al Sharif, Director of the Africa Department in the Egyptian Commercial Representation Sector, Mr. Mutu Zulu, President of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alaa Mustafa, Business Development Manager for the Middle East and Africa Division at the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit. Sherif El-Sayyad, head of the Egyptian Engineering Industries Export Council, Professor “Omar Moamen”, CEO of the Abrama Group for Shipping and Transport – Germany – Egypt, Dr. Sherif Soliman, Head of the Export Committee of the Egyptian-African Businessmen Association, and Professor “Karim Al-Barqouqi”, Vice-Chairman of the Export Committee of the Egyptian-African Businessmen Association.
The association added that the conference emphasizes African-African relations, and stressed that South Africa contains great wealth and we need to know them. Al-Sharqawi pointed out that Egypt exports to the African side $4.8 billion, stressing that the Egyptian-African Businessmen Association has developed a plan to increase the future of intra-trade. Between Egypt and the countries of the African continent, and the increase in Egyptian exports, as well as trade exchange.
Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Sharif, Director of the Africa Department of Commercial Representation, revealed, On the full strategic plan, its axes and objectives, to increase Egyptian exports to Africa, Which was carefully developed, studied and combined efforts of many sectors, elements and organizations and under the guidance of the Minister of Trade and Industry and the head of the Egyptian Commercial Representation Sector, We will work hard to achieve its goals, in cooperation with business organizations, to achieve 30 billion exports to the African continent, and our eyes are on strengthening trade and investment relations with the countries of the continent with an innovative methodology and thought.
Motu Zulu, President of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, confirmed: That he and his fellow members are keen to join the Egyptian-African Businessmen Association, And work hard to support trade exchange between the two countries so that the dream of the leaders on the Cairo-Cape Town road is realized.
ESharkawi commended the efforts made by the Egyptian commercial representation in South Africa, Represented by the Minister Plenipotentiary, Mr. Waheed Adly, This resulted in cooperation with the participation of the President of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Tomo Zulua, speaking during the conference, and the agreement on a twinning agreement and the exchange of members between the Association and the Chamber.
Dr. Sherif Suleiman, head of the association’s export committee, said: To the importance of achieving the objectives of the conference represented in finding practical solutions to support intra-African trade and identifying the opportunities, challenges and threats it faces, With the high-level participation of the Egyptian Export Development Bank and the Egyptian Company; To guarantee exports, the Export Council for Engineering Industries and the Islamic Corporation.
M. Sherif El-Sayyad, head of the Export Council for Engineering Industries, confirmed that he is working on two parallel lines between increasing the volume of engineering exports, which amounted to 2.5 billion dollars, through the top 10 exporters out of a total of 270 in the council, and the other line is to raise the efficiency and increase exports by supporting and encouraging 260 others within The Council, and emphasized the study of the obstacles with the utmost precision.
Karim Al-Barqouqi, vice-chairman of the association’s export committee, said: He and all the members of the Committee and the Association are working hard to support the growth of intra-African trade, not only between Egypt and African countries, but also between African countries with each other, as this is a supreme role for the Association that serves the African financial and business community and forms a strong back and a new model in the Egyptian joint work. African.