Egypt's Minister of Trade and Industry Amr Nassar has underlined the importance of establishing a coordinating council for joint ventures between Egypt and Tunisia, including businesspersons and investors from the two countries to boost investments between the two parties.

Nassar added, during a meeting held with Tunisia's Minister of Trade Omar Al-Bahy on the margins of the COMESA Summit held in Kenya, that the two countries should cooperate to invest in oil drilling and excavation, real estate and tourism improvement and the financial services sector, in addition to working to increase visits and promotional missions between the two countries in recognition of the investment opportunities and promising sectors in both countries.

"It is important to increase the trade exchange between Egypt and Tunisia and to remove all obstacles that impede the flow of goods and products between us. So, we should make use of the joint trade agreements and hold specialised fairs and encourage businesspersons and companies to participate to recognise the exporting products of the two countries," Nassar stated.

Trade exchange between Egypt and Tunisia during the first half of 2018 amounted to $214 million, while Egyptian exports reached $176 million and imports from Tunisia amounted to $38 million.