Ancient market Egypt is land of opportunity for Irish exporters

Egypt can claim to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest, export markets in the world. Photo: Reuters

Mike Hogan

In an era in which there is much talk of emerging markets for exporters, Egypt can claim to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest, export markets in the world. The pharaohs of ancient Egypt governed a nation that imported huge quantities of wood, metal and precious stones from neighbouring kingdoms.

Today, as throughout history, Egypt is a key geographical gateway with a land connection to the continent of Africa and the Middle East and, through the Suez Canal, the sea lanes of Asia and the Mediterranean.