Egyptian exports to the Cypriot market rose by 111% in the first half of 2016 compared to the same period last year.

The exports in the measured period hit €19 million versus €9 million in the first six months of 2015, according to a report issued by the Egyptian trade representation office in Cyprus and sent to Trade and Industry Minister Tareq Qabil.

Egyptian imports, on the other hand, declined in the same period by 79%, recording €6 million against €28.5 million in the parallel period, meaning an Egyptian trade surplus of €13 million, the report said.

Egypt's main exports to Cyprus are: raw salt, natural sand and stone, stone articles, marble, ceramic and aluminum foil tableware, aluminum cutlery, cables, tobacco, cigars, chemicals, organic solvents and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Moreover, the report shed light on the office’s efforts to attract Cypriot holidaymakers to Egypt in light of an agreement signed between the trade and tourism ministries in February 2013, under which trade representation offices promote tourism in the countries where Egypt does not have a tourism representation office.

Thanks to the office’s efforts, a Cypriot delegation of 15 representatives of the tourism sector (government officials, sea cruise companies and charter flight companies) will visit Egypt in October to hold talks with their Egyptian peers to activate tourism cooperation, it said.

Such positive indications in trade and economic relations between the two countries are happening in an important timing as they come ahead of a three-way summit between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece that will take place in mid-October in Cairo, Trade Minister Qabil said.