Egypt is keen on promoting economic integration among the COMESA member states, said Trade and Industry Minister Tarek Qabil. 

The government is keen on expanding joint cooperation with the COMESA member states in the various spheres, he added in pre-departure statements to take part in proceedings of the 19th summit of COMESA countries in Madagascar.

Madagascar will assume the rotating chairmanship of COMESA in succession of Ethiopia, he added. 

The summit will discuss a range of important issues including the navigational line between Lake Victoria and the Mediterranean Sea, which will contribute to increasing foreign trade rates for COMESA countries, he said. 

The minister further said that the meeting will also discuss progress related to the SADC-Comesa-EAC free trade agreement, signed in Sharm el Sheikh last year.