Expected boom in Egyptian exports to American markets

Egypt expects a hundred percent boom in its exports to the American markets that was put in 2001 at US $ 878 million, if its request for limited tariff exemptions was accepted.

Egyptian Trade Plenipotentiary in Washington Riyad Al Badri told Egyptian journalists that Egypt has already submitted a request to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick to drop custom tariffs on some Egyptian exports to the American markets.

The goods include frozen vegetables, fruit and ceramics.

Badri expects the request to be favored especially that Washington administration has always shown willingness to help Egypt overcome the negative impact on its economy of the September 11 events.

The Egyptian official said that Egypt will focus in its exports to the US on ready-made clothes, furniture and building materials particularly marble, granite and ceramics.

Egypt intends to take part in an exhibition for marble and granite, the biggest in the US, that is to open in Florida next May, he said.

Badri said that the US list of imports from Egypt also includes carpets, hand-made products and steel.

He hopes that Egypt's exports of steel to the US to quadruple to US $100 million in the coming period.