Australia’s Ambassador to Egypt Axel Wabenhorst has said that the trade exchange between Australia and Egypt reached AUD 1bn in fiscal year 2021/22, noting that Australia’s most valuable export to Egypt was fava beans.
He added that Australia and Egypt “have much to gain by cooperating further on dry-land agricultural practices and water management.” The ambassador also discussed tourism, archaeology, and other areas of cooperation.
His remarks came during the Australian Embassy in Cairo celebration for the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan by hosting an Iftar for the new class of attachés from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. The aim of the iftar with the new Egyptian diplomats, who will be responsible for the future of Egyptian diplomacy, is to promote the long standing bilateral relations between Australia and Egypt and the strong people-to-people links.
Ambassador Wabenhorst stated: “Egyptians have made a big contribution to Australia” with 40,000 residents of Australia having been born in Egypt.”
Wabenhorst congratulated the diplomatic attachés on beginning their diplomatic careers, and told them “through this Iftar, the Australian Embassy wants to share the spirit of Ramadan with you.”
Head of the Diplomatic Institute at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Walid Haggag, thanked the Australian Ambassador for hosting the iftar.
The Ambassador concluded by stressing that Australia remains committed to working with Egypt to advance areas of mutual interest in the bilateral relationship.