Thursday 21 Nov
Dr. Tarek El-Hoby, President of the National Food Safety Authority, signed a framework agreement for cooperation with New Zealand in the field of food safety. The agreement was signed on behalf of the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries by Amy Laurenson, New Zealand Ambassador to Cairo.
El-Hoby highlighted Egypt's role
as a key trading partner for New Zealand. Egypt is the second-largest market
for New Zealand's exports to Africa. Numerous cooperative partnerships exist
between New Zealand exporters and Egyptian food manufacturers. These
manufacturers import high-quality ingredients, such as butter, cheese, and milk
powder, which are then used in Egyptian food products. These products are sold
both domestically and internationally. In return, Egypt exports agricultural
food products to New Zealand, including frozen strawberries, oranges, and dried
onions.
Andrew Bavitt, Regional
Agricultural Counselor at the New Zealand Embassy in Dubai, expressed the New
Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries' satisfaction with the signing of the
framework agreement. He noted that this agreement was the culmination of over
two years of negotiations.
New Zealand Ambassador to Cairo expressed
her satisfaction. She emphasized that the agreement signifies both countries'
commitment to food safety systems and the strengthening of trade relations
between Egypt and New Zealand.
The framework agreement aims to
safeguard consumer health in both countries and streamline trade in safe food.
It will achieve this through collaboration between the two parties in health
and related areas.
Both sides agreed that this
framework agreement will bolster technical cooperation between Egypt and New
Zealand in food safety. It will also support measures to facilitate trade
between the two countries and promote trade exchange. By working together to
fully recognize each other's food safety systems, both sides will simplify
customs clearance procedures and expedite the final release time for goods.
The New Zealand side highlighted the strong relationship between Egypt and New Zealand, noting their long history of cooperation. They expressed their gratitude for the partnership between the National Food Safety Authority and the Ministry for Primary Industries in promoting trade exchange. The signing of the framework cooperation agreement in the field of food safety and related measures coincides with the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations, as well as a visit by New Zealand Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters to Egypt last April, during which he conducted trade talks with Egyptian officials.
