An agreement was signed to export 60 containers of ceramics to Uganda as part of the Egyptian-Lebanese initiative to export to African markets, said Industry and Trade Minister Tarek Kabil. This was the first agreement signed under the initiative and since the formation of an Egyptian-Lebanese Trading and Investment in Africa Company, Kabil added. The initiative will see Lebanon rely on Egypt’s position in African trade blocs to expand its exports.

The Minister of International Cooperation Dr. Sahar Nasr met with the Speaker of Lebanon's Parliament Mr. Nabih Berri in the Lebanese capital "Beirut", in presence of Egypt's Minister of Trade and Industry Mr. Tarek Qabil.

The meeting tackled the means of bilateral economic cooperation within the framework of the Arab regional economic integration, where officials referred to 'Egypt- Lebanon to Africa' Initiative as a basis for such integration. Mr. Berri, accordingly, emphasized his full support of the initiative and the private sector role in rendering economic initiatives successful as being a key partner in the economic development process.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the Lebanese businessmen mission expected to be visit Egypt in May as an exploration mission of Egyptian industries. The relevant mission will be conducting field visits to several Egyptian industrial areas, on the sidelines of the Egyptian- Lebanese Cooperation Forum to be held this month in Cairo in collaboration between MOIC and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Further, officials mentioned several African countries to be focused on during the initiative's first phase, namely, Cote d'lvoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria through delegating trade missions to such countries during the last quarter of 2016, consisting of Egyptian businessmen in the following sectors: building materials, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, clothes, home furnishings, chemicals, engineering goods, and food.