Written by Faisal Abdel Atti.
Engineer Ibrahim Al Araby. The chairman of Cairo Chamber of Commerce - discussed with the
Gabonese Ambassador "Amya Babang Byamih" ways of supporting Egyptian and Gabonese
economic relations and increasing trade exchange between the two countries in the coming
period this came during the Ambassador's visit to the chamber premises.
Al Araby asked to provide all required data about Gabon's market and goods available for
circulation to the Egyptian traders. As well as the Cairo Chamber will also provide data about
the Egyptian market for the Gabonese side to support the exportation process of Egyptian
products.
Al Araby said that the chamber will inform the Egyptian timber importers in order to determine
their requirements, identify obstacles and a worksheet, then informing the Gabonese side to
facilitate importing this product. As the Gabon occupies a big position between African States in
timber-producing in return, Egypt is importing this product.
Al Araby asked during the meeting about the products that can be imported from Gabonto be
a moderation in the trade balance between the two countries calling for real information on
the procedures and facilities, which will be provided by the Gabonese side until reaching
effective resolutions to the process of buying and selling between the two parties.
Cairo Chamber's Chairman added that a delegation of Egyptian businessmen working in the
timber sector will be formed to visit Gabon and discuss the matter on the ground and know the
constraints and the pros so that the chamber would address Gabonese side and identify ways
of cooperation and facilities that can be provided by the Gabonese side to Egyptians. In addition
the chamber is fully prepared to receive Gabonese delegation of businessmen to discuss
the appropriate ways of cooperation in the next phase.
He stressed the need for a communication link with Egyptian businessmen who deal with
Gabon through their offices so that they will be the core and reliable base for the rest of Egyptian
importers and be Models for them.
Al Araby agreed with the ambassador on the necessity of providing facilities by the governments
of Egypt and Gabon in order to facilitate the import and export between the two sides.
Al Araby said that this meeting will be the actual beginning to increase the scale of trading
between Egypt and Gabon; especially that the two parties are willing in overcoming all
obstacles of the business in order to achieve a real commercial exchange between them.
Al Araby stressed the essential support for both import and export between the two countries,
aiming to increase them especially the trade exchange between Egypt and Gabon is not
properly despite sharing one continent.
For his part, Gabonese Ambassador pointed out that his visit to the Cairo Chamber would
support trade relations with Egypt, which was not well in the past time.
He said that his visit is a message of respect and cooperation from Gabonese people to the
Egyptians and an invitation to trade cooperation in all fields. He stressed that Gabon is one of
the largest timber producers in Africa and Egypt one of the largest countries that also imports
timber. Hence the common language of cooperation between the two countries can be opened.
The ambassador asked the Egyptian side to form a delegation of businessmen to visit Gabon
and see the situation on the ground and benefiting from opportunities.
The ambassador called Egyptian businessmen to open work offices for them in Gabon to
facilitate the process of dealing between the two parties. He confirmed that there are some of
the Egyptian businessmen, who are currently opening offices in Gabon and it is possible that
they will be a successful experience for other Egyptian businessmen.
Responding to the question of Cairo chamber's chairman what are the products that can be
imported from Egypt? The ambassador said that Gabon is imported from Egypt a lot of products
such as furniture and ceramics.
The Ambassador stressed the need for real start in the trade between the two countries,
pointing out the need for the hard work of the two governments to resolve any problems that may
face the businessmen of the two parties in order to increase the business relationship between
them effectively.
He added that Gabon will provide all data about its market to the Egyptian side, and also
demanded a working paper containing the demands of Egyptians importers, especially in the
field of timber for consideration and work to find effective measures to facilitate.
It is worth mentioning that the most important Egyptian exports to Gabon plastic products and
gums, iron and steel, electrical machinery and spare parts, grain and . While wood, charcoal
and wood products are the most important imports.
