Egypt's exports of building materials, refractory and metallurgy industries hit $1.5 billion during the first quarter of 2020, recording an increase of 32.8 per cent, compared with $1.15 billion dollars during the same period last year.

According to a report of Export Council for Building Materials, Refractory & Metallurgy Industries (ECBM), the country's exports of building materials, refractory and metallurgy industries recorded $501 million in March.

Ten countries account for almost 75.4 per cent of the exports with a value of $1.15 billion, according to the report.

Egypt's exports of building materials to the UAE increased during the first three months of 2020 by 64 per cent to reach $567 million.

The latest rise in exports to the UAE makes the Gulf country absorbing nearly 37 per cent of Egypt's building material export, the report read.

Egypt's exports of building material to Canada have reached $191 million between January and March 2020, with an increase of 23 per cent, while exports to Italy rose by 29 per cent and to Turkey by 34 per cent.

Exports to Australia rose by 4,048 per cent to record $33 million and to Spain by 19 per cent to reach $33 million as well. Exports of building materials to the US retreated by 56 per cent to hit $26 million during the first quarter of 2020, as exports to Saudi Arabia dropped to $74 million with a decline of 24 per cent.

Meanwhile, exports of jewels and precious stones reached $743 million during the first three months of 2020, with an increase of 58 per cent, according to the report.