Philips Lighting has begun manufacturing LED products on a trial basis in Egypt and is planning to begin exporting output by 2Q2018, Vice President Tamer Aboul Ghar told reporters yesterday, Reuters’ Arabic service reports. The company plans to eventually turn Egypt into a regional export hub for Africa, according to the VP. Philips is currently relying on local partners to manufacture its products, Aboul Ghar said, without providing further details on the partners or the size of Philips’ investment in this step. Philips expects exports to account for half of its sales revenues within the next five years.