South African foreign minister, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has returned home following a series of trade discussions with Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, and minister of trade and industry, Rashid Mohamed Rashid, among others.

Discussions touched upon the removal of barriers to trade between the two countries and the Egyptian representatives proposed a free trade agreement between Egypt and the Southern African Customs Union.

There are significant areas of opportunity for South African companies in the Egyptian clothing and textiles, processed food and pharmaceuticals industries.

According to reports, exports from South Africa to Egypt rose 44% between October 2006 and October 2007; however, imports fell 64%.

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