CAIRO  - Egypt has extended an import ban on white and raw sugar for three months, the trade and industry ministry said in statement on Thursday.

The decision was aimed at tightening control over imported products amid precautionary measures to contain the spread of coronavirus, Trade and Industry Minister Naveen Gamea said in the statement.

It was taken after full coordination with the supply and internal trade minister, she added.

Imports could be allowed within the three months on condition of an approval for the required quantity by the two ministers, the statement said.

Egypt has sufficient strategic reserves of sugar for 7 months, a government statement said on Sunday.

(Reporting by Ehab Farouk; Writing by Mahmoud Mourad; Editing by David Evans) ((mahmoud.mourad@thomsonreuters.com))