CAIRO, Jan 15, 2002 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian business delegation will head for China later this month to explore ways of advancing economic, trade, technological cooperation, Egypt's official MENA news agency reported on Tuesday.

The delegation, to be led by Chairman of Egypt's Chambers of Commerce Khaled Abu Ismail, includes 36 businessmen in the areas of industry, banking and small-sized enterprises, Abu Ismail said in a statement, carried by MENA.

During the visit, businessmen of the two countries will discuss means of making use of Chinese expertise in the area of investment, he said, adding that during Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's visit to China later this month, the two countries will sign an agreement on establishing a bilateral business council.

Mubarak will kick off his eighth visit to China on January 23.

Sino-Egyptian trade volume reached 800 million U.S. dollars in the first 10 months of 2001, increasing by 4 percent from the same period in 2000.