Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, today welcomed the Egyptian Government's decision to cut  tariffs on imported raw sugar from 24% to 5% and on refined sugar from 26% to 10%.

Mr Vaile said this was welcome news for the Australian sugar industry, which had been through some tough times recently.

Speaking following his discussions with Senior Egyptian Ministers in Cairo last month, Mr Vaile said the decision would help open new marketing opportunities for the Australian sugar industry.

"Egypt's decision to cut tariffs on both raw and refined sugar reverses a recent trend to increased protection for its sugar industry.  Egypt has previously been a valuable market for Australian sugar, and I'm sure that our high quality reliable sugar exports will again be competitive in the Egyptian market," Mr Vaile said.

Mr Vaile said the decision was a further example of the close and growing cooperation between Australia and Egypt.

Contact: Bruce Mills 02 6277 7420