Arab Republic of Egypt Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade General Organization for Export and Import Control

Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister, held a meeting today at the government headquarter in New Administrative Capital to review the proposed procedures to develop the customs system, in the presence of Mr. Ahmed Kojak, Minister of Finance, Eng. Hassan El Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Mr. Sherif El Kilani, Deputy Minister of Finance for Tax Policies and Supervisor of the Customs Authority, Ms. Rasha Abdel Aal, Head of the Tax Authority, Major General Essam El Naggar, Chairman of the General Organization for Export and Import Control, and officials from the relevant bodies.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Prime Minister pointed out that work is underway on a set of measures that target facilitating customs transactions, as part of the policies adopted by the government to build trust and fruitful partnership with the local and foreign business community.

Dr. Mostafa Madbouly stressed that the measures to facilitate customs transactions come within the framework of the government’s adoption of financial policies that motivate the Egyptian economy growth.

During the meeting, the Minister of Finance said that the proposed customs facilitations include reform of the customs system, through about (19) measures, whether on the legislative or procedural side, with the aim of facilitating customs clearance procedures, speeding up the payment of customs duties, developing the customs system and tightening control over ports.

Mr. Ahmed Kojak also reviewed the most prominent features of these proposals, which include facilitating the payment of customs tax, facilitating the advance clearance system, activating the advance inquiry service, publishing a guide to customs procedures for imports and exports, collecting customs publications, and enhancing effective communication with customs dealers.

The Minister explained that the proposed measures also include establishing easy mechanisms to resolve customs disputes, and working on a set of axes to reduce customs clearance time rates. All of this will happen alongside strengthening customs control procedures and raising the technical capabilities of Customs Authority employees.

In his turn, Eng. Hassan El Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, reviewed the features of the first package of facilitations to improve customs release time and enhance Egyptian trade indicators.

Al-Khatib demonstrated that measures have already been taken in this regard, including doubling the working hours of all entities responsible for the customs release system through working throughout the week, including weekends and official holidays until six o'clock in the evening, stressing the continuation of work with this system.

The Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade stressed that this measure contributed to improving the efficiency of supply chains, avoiding delays in the delivery of goods, and accelerating the pace of arrival of basic commodities and raw materials to local markets.

The Minister said: "Thanks to this decision, the congestion of goods in ports and customs outlets has decreased, which has contributed to reducing the costs resulting from fees for long storage periods.

Al-Khatib added that the first package of facilitations includes measures aimed at reducing the time of inspection and customs release, which contributes to accelerating import and export operations, speeding up the release of production requirements, reducing pressure on seaports, and encouraging the establishment of industries near dry ports. 

At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister directed the rapid completion of the procedures agreed upon, in preparation for announcing them as soon as possible.