Egyptian Minister of Planning Hala El-Said said on Tuesday that the volume of trade exchange between Egypt and the European Union (EU) reached € 27 billion by the end of 2018.
El-Said said in a statement that relations between Egypt and the EU have a deep history of coordination and partnership, pointing out that the Union an important ally in all fields, especially in the sectors of trade and investment.
This came during her participation in the launching ceremony of the EU Initiative for gender equality and women's empowerment "EU Gender Championship" organized by the Swedish Embassy in Cairo.
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Ministers, officials during the event at the Swedish embassy[/caption]
The Minister of Planning emphasized the importance of EU equality advocates in Egypt, which will help support joint efforts, and promote gender equality through enhancing women's economic, social and political participation.
El-Said pointed to the need for breaking social barriers facing girls and women daily, in addition to highlighting the direct relationship between gender equality and achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
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EU official speaking at the EU Gender Championship[/caption]
It is worth mentioning that women's empowerment contributes to about 50% of the economic growth in OECD countries over the past 50 years.
In 2004, the EU-Egypt Association Agreement came into force, creating a free-trade area between both parties through the removal of tariffs on industrial products and easing agricultural ones.
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