Egypt's trade balance deficit in the first quarter of 2021 declined by 1 percent, compared with the same period last year, and exports rose by 6 percent and imports by 2 percent.

Egypt's Minister of Trade and Industry, Nevin Jama, declared that "Egyptian non-petroleum exports increased significantly by 6 percent in the first quarter of 2021, reaching 7 billion and $438 million, compared to about 6 billion and 990 million over the same period in 2020."

"This significant increase was in spite of the current circumstances associated with the [emerging] Corona virus crisis affecting the entire world, thanks to the efforts of the Government to support the productive and export sectors during the crisis, which contributed to the continued rotation of production and the maintenance of export markets."

"Egyptian imports rose slightly by 2 percent during the first quarter of this year, to $16 billion and $991 million, compared to about $16 billion and $675 million over the same period last year," Jama explained.

"These positive indicators have contributed to a 1 per cent reduction in the trade balance deficit, with a deficit of $9 billion and $552 million, compared with $9 billion and $685 million over the same period last year."