JAKARTA: Indonesia is increasing its trade engagement with Egypt as a gateway for exports to other African countries, its trade minister said on Thursday, following an official trip to Cairo. Zulkifli Hasan led a trade delegation to the North African country this week as Jakarta seeks to explore export potential in non-traditional markets on the continent. “(Egypt) is a gateway country to access other African countries,” Hasan told Arab News. “We also agreed that the JTC will be the first step to discuss an Indonesia-Egypt PTA, which we hope will further boost trade relations between our two countries.”A preferential trade agreement would stimulate trade by reducing or eliminating tax duties on certain goods. Coffee beans were in high demand in the North African nation, Hasan said, making the sector a potential growth market for Indonesian exporters.

Source: Ethiopian News May 19, 2023 08:00 UTC