Eng. Essam Al-Naggar, Chairman of the General Organization for Export and Import Control, participates in the panel discussion to analyze the controls of the imposition of duties and expenses on export and import services convened by the Project for Trade Development and Export Development. His Excellency stated that the General Organization for Export and Import Control is the only authority for more than three years that did not raise any fees for it, whether for exports or imports, but rather reduced fees for Egyptian exports, GOEIC is working hard for Egyptian exports to reach African markets.
The Trade and Export Development Project in Egypt, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in cooperation with (Acumen Consulting company), is holding a panel discussion to analyze the controls for imposing duties and expenses on export and import services with the aim of reaching implementation and practical solutions to develop policies, systems and procedures related to the foreign trade system and attracting domestic and foreign investments, increasing Egyptian exports and raising its competitiveness in international markets.
This panel discussion comes as a result of the study conducted by the Trade Development and Export Development Project in cooperation with ( Acumen Consulting Company), to discuss the results of the expanded study, to identify the most important problems that impede the system, and knowing the extent of the commitment of government agencies related to foreign trade to what was stipulated in the Trade Facilitation Agreement emanating from the World Trade Organization “WTO-TFA” with regard to the value, mechanism and methodology of imposing duties and expenses on export, import and transit operations, which is considered one of the most important factors affecting the smooth flow of Egyptian foreign trade, which is directly reflected in making a quantum leap in Egyptian exports and reaching 100 billion dollars annually, in the presence of representatives of the competent authorities on the part of the government and the business community.
The study aims to reach realistic and tangible results to identify the negatives to avoid them and the positives to activate them, as many meetings were held with all partners in this field, whether governmental or semi-governmental agencies, in addition to the private sector, to get acquainted with all relevant information, where the focus was on the value and mechanism of imposing duties and expenses, with a focus on the extent of transparency in publishing fees and related expenses and their legal reference, allowing a transitional period between imposing or amending fees, applying them, and implementing them, consistency in the value of fees and expenses With the cost of services provided, conducting a dialogue with stakeholders before issuing fees and expenses, and finally conducting a periodic review of the value and number of fees and expenses with the aim of decreasing or reducing the value or number.
Rachid Benjelloun, director of the Trade and Export Development Project in Egypt, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), said:
The project aims to develop trade and reduce barriers in front of it by providing an appropriate and encouraging environment for new and existing exporters of small and medium-sized companies in the private sector in Egypt in order to help them reach new global markets and increase the volume of their exports by providing the necessary technical support to these companies in line with the vision of the Egyptian government aiming to increase Egyptian exports to 100 billion dollars ,the project is also working on building strong partnerships with business associations, export councils and the private sector to enhance and support the trade and investment environment by preparing studies that contribute to achieving this purpose.
Among the most important findings of the study in accordance with international best practices are: the commitment to publish fees that are imposed or modified on the websites of the bodies that impose them, taking into account the establishment of a national portal for trade information, and the establishment of an electronic notification system to inform stakeholders of all developments in the value of fees and expenses, Publishing a database of fees and expenses on (NAFEZA) portal, and obligating the authorities that impose duties to allow a transitional period between the imposition and publication of new and amended duties and their entry into force.in addition to assigning the National Committee for Trade Facilitation to set up a mechanism to review fees and expenses before they enter into force, to facilitate communication between all stakeholders, and to amend (NAFEZA) fees ,The study also stressed the need to strengthen the principles of cost recovery and develop an actuarial form for pricing decisions for the services provided, in addition to the gradual implementation of the risk management system in examining goods, and the abolition of fees and expenses on transit goods to ensure Egypt's full compliance with international agreements.
Egypt's Trade Development and Export Development Project, funded by USAID, promotes Egypt's international trade by increasing Egyptian exports, and the small and medium enterprises.
