Egypt to export 1 million gas cylinders and cement to Burkina Faso

Egypt's Minister of Foreign Trade Youssef Boutros Ghali agreed with Burkina Faso Foreign Affairs Minister Youssouf Ouedraogo on exporting one million gas cylinders and one million tons of cement in addition to agricultural produce to Burkina Faso.

Ghali said that Egypt's keenness on boosting relations with Burkina Faso was part of efforts aiming at expanding trade movement with African states in the various domains.

Ghali discussed on Wednesday with the African official means of enhancing trade and investment relations between the two countries, on the one hand, and between Egypt and the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), on the other.

Burkina Faso is a member of UEMOA. Ghali signed on Friday with UEMOA chief a framework agreement for trade and investment which prepares the way for holding negotiations to set up a free trade area with the UEMOA members. The free trade agreement will be effective by the end of 2005.