Key trade and foreign affairs officials from the Egyptian Government are in Australia this week, as part of an AWB sponsored initiative to improve the level of trade policy understanding between Australia and one its largest wheat customers.

Their visit marks the second phase of the three year sponsorship agreement, in which the Egyptian officials participate in a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) trade policy course, which also includes briefings with government agencies, universities, and major corporations, such as AWB.

AWB Managing Director Andrew Lindberg said the sponsorship initiative was a clear demonstration of AWB’s commitment to the relationship between Australia and Egypt. 

"AWB has had a long and successful association with Egypt that has extended over 50 years.  During this time, Australian wheat exports have grown from 60,000 tonnes annually to in excess of one million tonnes on average each year," Mr Lindberg said.

"Underpinning our sales program in Egypt has been a long term and extensive technical support program which ensures our customers are able to extract maximum values from the Australian wheat they purchase.

"AWB also has a direct investment in the Egyptian flour milling industry through our equity in Five Star Flour Mills.

"However, this sponsorship program shows that we are looking beyond this commercial relationship, and towards the development of our common goals of seeing reform in world trade and freer access for agricultural products. 

"The course will provide these Egyptian officials with a greater knowledge of trade issues facing both countries and how they can be jointly managed. It is also an excellent example of Government and industry in Australia working closely together, to improve the understanding, knowledge and quality of the debate on international trade reform," Mr Lindberg said.