Exports play a central role in the Egyptian economy, serving as a crucial source of foreign currency and a key driver to bolster the competitiveness of the national economy. Egypt adopts a comprehensive strategy to boost the competitiveness of Egyptian products and access new markets, particularly in the context of global challenges like geopolitical tensions and market instability. This strategy also prioritizes green transformation, digitization, and active participation of the private sector in formulating implementation policies.

In FY 2024/25, the United Arab Emirates, USA, Italy, UK, and Switzerland ranked among the leading destinations for Egyptian exports. The sectors driving this export growth included petroleum products, gold, fresh chilled, or cooked vegetables, phosphate or mineral fertilizers, and wires & cables.

Egypt`s primary objective is to shift towards an export-driven economic growth model, based on the diverse productive components within the Egyptian economy, through offering financial and regulatory incentives, developing the logistics infrastructure, and opening new markets via international trade agreements, and strengthening economic relations with global partners.

The government exerts significant efforts to boost and promote Egyptian exports by implementing various strategies and programs designed to eliminate obstacles to Egyptian exports, as outlined below:

The government is implementing numerous measures to achieve export support, assist local businesses, and motivate them to expand into global markets. This support comes in multiple forms, including direct financial aid, tax incentives, and streamlining logistics services, all aimed at boosting the competitiveness of Egyptian exports and expanding their share in global trade.

Egypt maintains a wide network of free and preferential trade agreements with global and regional partners, enhancing export market access (Trade Agreements). The state is also adopting the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to reduce export-related carbon emissions and sustain global competitiveness.

Egypt possesses nine public free zones equipped with the essential utilities and infrastructure to launch and operate projects. These zones are linked to ports and roads to reduce transportation costs, aiming to attract export-oriented investments and increase the added value of Egyptian products. Free zones contribute approximately 20% of total Egyptian exports.

Currently, efforts are underway to expand the free zones due to increasing investor demand. Land has been allocated for four new free zones in Borg El Arab, 10th of Ramadan, 6th of October, and New Alamein. Additionally, three free zones are currently under construction: Damietta Furniture City , Aswan, and Nuweiba.