
Egypt's trade deficit expanded by 48.8 percent year-on-year in March 2026, reaching $4.6 billion, up from $3.1 billion in March 2025, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics CAPMAS. Exports decreased by 2.5 percent to $4.6 billion in March 2026, compared to $4.8 billion in the previous year. This decline was primarily due to reduced exports of fertilizers, various food preparations, potatoes, and crude oil. Conversely, petroleum products, ready-made garments, fresh fruits, and plastics in primary forms saw increased exports. Imports rose by 17.8 percent to $9.3 billion in March 2026, from $7.9 billion a year prior. This increase was largely driven by higher imports of petroleum products, natural gas, crude oil, and wheat. However, imports of raw materials of iron or steel, corn, organic and inorganic chemicals, and pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical preparations all declined.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
Must ReadEgypt has condemned recent Iranian attacks targeting Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, which included strikes on civilian facilities and critical infrastructure. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that these attacks are a "flagrant violation of the sovereignty of these countries and a dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability of the Gulf region." Egypt expressed full solidarity with the three Gulf states and supports their efforts to safeguard security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Kuwait's Ministry of Defense reported that its armed forces intercepted hostile ballistic missiles and drones that entered Kuwaiti airspace, targeting military, security sites, and vital civilian infrastructure, causing fires and significant damage. In Bahrain, the Ministry of Interior activated warning sirens, and the Bahrain Defense Force intercepted and destroyed several aerial attacks attributed to Iran, with forces remaining on high alert.

Vice Admiral Mahmoud Adel Fawzy, Commander of the Egyptian Naval Forces, met with Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff of Pakistan, and his delegation in Alexandria. Their discussions focused on military cooperation and exchanging expertise between the two naval forces. Fawzy emphasized strengthening coordination to enhance operational capabilities and advance shared interests, while Ashraf highlighted the long-standing partnership. The delegation toured the Alexandria Shipyard, learning about its capabilities in naval vessel construction, and inspected newly commissioned Egyptian naval vessels. They also visited the Naval Academy to learn about its education and training programs. This visit aligns with Pakistan's efforts to expand defense cooperation with regional countries.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, for an official visit. He landed at Julius Nyerere International Airport and was met by Tanzanian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo and Egypt's Ambassador to Tanzania Sherif Ismail, along with members of the Egyptian Embassy. President El-Sisi received an official welcome upon his arrival.