Trade between the Matrouh governorate and Libya has fallen by 80 percent due to unrest in the neighboring country, as well as the frequent closure of the Salloum crossing, according to Matrouh tribal chief Beshir al-Obaidy.
Obaidy told Al-Masry Al-Youm Sunday that trade with Libya involves many industries, such as textiles, building materials, food commodities and other goods and services. The price of a package of Egyptian tea on the Libyan market rose from LE10 to LE60 because of the difficulty involved in getting the product across the border, Obaidy mentioned.
Obaidy praised the role of the Armed Forces for providing the Matrouh tribes and inhabitants food commodities at a 30 percent discount through the use of a mobile vehicle service.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
