Omar El Naggar

Omar El Naggar

Pico has urged the Egyptian government to step in and improve the country’s logistics links for international trade and help increase the pressure on competitor countries.

Trading and business development manager Omar El-Naggar told freshinfo that the government needed to further react to the rapidly expanding Egyptian agri-business sector and take action over logistics issues, which have cost the country business.

He said: “Huge steps have been taken with strategy, but logistics is still an area that needs some work. It is a real challenge for industry and, unless the government steps in with a solution, could really hold us back.

“There are still too many vessel delays and scheduling issues. Morocco obviously has the edge with its distance and trade ties with the EU and we need to do everything we can to be an easy source to deal with.”

El-Naggar said Pico was battling the adversity of recession well, looking at adding new lines and varieties, considering new export markets and studying long-term strategy.