Egypt's exports to US hits $500 million in 6 months

US Ambassador to Cairo David Welch stressed yesterday that trade rates between Egypt and the US are growing, adding that the US is considered the biggest trade partner with Egypt.

In statements to MENA, he said Egypt's exports to the US have increased by 44 %, between 1999 and 2000. "This rise continued to reach more than half a billion dollars during the first six months of 2001," he added.

Welch expressed the US's support for the Egyptian efforts to upgrade the free economy and find ways to face up to the current difficult economic conditions.

On the Mideast issue, he expressed the US appreciation for President Hosni Mubarak's stance towards terrorism.

"Egypt suffered a lot from terrorism but it has succeeded in fighting it to stand in the line with the civilized world," he added.