Egypt's non-petroleum exports to Italy rose by 39 percent to reach 367 million euros in the first quarter of 2017, compared to 264 million euros during the same period in 2016.

In a statement on Thursday, Trade and Industry Minister Tareq Qabil said Italy is among Egypt's largest trading partners in European Union countries. 

The volume of trade exchange between Egypt and Italy also increased by 30 percent to register 1.3 billion euros during the first quarter of the current year, against 1 billion euros during the same period last year, the minister added.

Earlier, Qabil received a report from the Egyptian Commercial Representation Office in Milan on the volume of trade exchange between Egypt and Italy. 

Head of the Egyptian Commercial Service Office (ECS) Ahmed Antar commended genuine efforts exerted by the Egyptian Commercial Representation Office in Milan to beef up Egypt's exports to Italy.

Egypt's exports to Italy include steel, aluminum, fertilizers, methanol, plastic, molasses, fresh vegetables, such as artichoke, potatoes and lettuce, and preserved vegetables, Antar added.