Minister Counselor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Embassy of China to Egypt Han Bing on Thursday urged the Egyptian government to increase its vegetables and fruits exports to China. 

Addressing a press conference in the Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone in Suez, the Chinese official said China is ready to increase its imports of orange and lemon from Egypt.

He made the remarks saying the volume increased to $21.5 million in 2015, compared to $7.8 million in 2014.

The trade volume between Egypt and China, however, dropped 10.98 percent down to $10.34 billion in 2016, he said. 

China is a key exporter of vehicles, machinery and plastic materials, he said, adding Egypt's exports include crude oil, natural gas, fruits and leather. 

The two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation in November to export Egyptian grape the coming summer, he added.