Soyuz Commodities, which has links to Moscow's state grain exporter, has won recognition as an official supplier to the world's largest wheat importer Egypt, positioning the year-old firm to become a major player in grains markets.

Egypt's state grain buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), said on Thursday it had officially registered Switzerland-based Soyuz, the grain-trading arm of Russian investment group Summa Capital. Just one month ago, Summa bought a stake in Russia's state trader United Grain Company (UGC).

"To expand supplier sources and increase competitiveness and offers, GASC seeks to increase the number of wheat-supplying firms registered with it, and as such has added Soyuz Commodities," Nomani Nomani, vice chairman of GASC, told Reuters.

Nomani said a second firm, Switzerland-based Solaris, had also registered as a wheat supplier for GASC. Solaris also trades grains from Russia, which competes with rivals including the US, Australia, France and Black Sea region producers to supply the huge Egyptian market.-Reuters