Businessmen to discuss in Washington free trade area

The Egyptian businessmen "Knock doors" mission will fly to Washington next week to discuss with U.S officials ways of boosting bilateral trade and economic ties, said chief of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt Taher Helmy who will preside over the mission.

Helmy added that the mission will discuss with the officials there steps that should be taken to set up a free trade area in a bid to open American market for the Egyptian commodities in the light of Egypt's joining to the Qualified Industrial Zone (QIZ) protocol.

He pointed out that the mission will meet with officials from the U.S administration, Congressmen, economic organizations, non- governmental organizations and businessmen to brief them on the Egyptian government's recent measures taken to improve investment climate and encourage the private sector to raise exports.

Helmy added that they will propagate some investment opportunities available in Egypt in tourism, mining and industry to increase volume of U.S investments which stood at $2.2 billion including 60 per cent in oil sector. The 7-day visit will coincide with an expected visit to U.S by Minister of Foreign Trade and Industry Rashid Mohammed Rashid.