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Egypt’s economy braces for new hit from Sudan conflict

Egypt fears that a prolonged conflict in Sudan, a major market for its exports, will add to its economic hardships.
Refugees cross into Egypt through the Argeen land port with Sudan, April 27, 2023.

The outbreak of clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group came as bad news for Egypt’s economy, already struggling under severe pressure over the past year.

Egypt fears that a prolonged conflict across the border in Sudan, a major market for its exports, will complicate its economic hardships.

Egypt’s trade exchange with Sudan hit $1.4 billion in 2022, up from $1.2 billion a year earlier, including $929.2 million in Egyptian exports and $504.4 million in imports, according to the state-run Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics.

Sudan also came as the second-largest market for Egyptian exports after Libya in the first quarter of 2023 with $226 million, as shown by figures released last month by Egypt’s Ministry of Industry.

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