New Delhi: With its technical authorities clearing Indian grain quality for imports, Egypt on April 11 opened up its seven million tonne wheat market to India. The breakthrough follows a meeting of the five member Egyptian delegation with Commerce Ministry officials, on April 10.

"Indian wheat is approved by our technical committee. This was one of the agenda items we agreed upon during discussions with Indian authorities and now our grain market is open to Indian produce," the visiting Egyptian Under Secretary of State, El Said Fouad Kassem said.

Egypt consumes 10 million tonnes of wheat annually, of which only two to three million is produced within the country leaving immense potential for exports by India, officials said.

The Egyptian Quarantine Authority had put its stamp of approval to wheat imports from India and handed over a copy of the country's quality standards and technical specifications, which need to be met.

The Egyptian delegation has also suggested that India erect silos for storage of wheat besides setting up of wheat mills in their free zones.

Indian government has agreed to examine the Egyptian request, as per the minutes of Indo-Egyptian Joint Working Group signed by Kassem and Commerce Ministry joint secretary V P C Shastry.

PTI