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

Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister, held an expanded meeting today to follow up on the mechanisms for implementing the recommendations of Tourism Development Advisory Committee, in the presence of Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population; Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment; Dr. Hani Sweilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation; Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development, Mr. Ahmed Kojak, Minister of Finance; Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; Dr. Sameh El-Hafny, Minister of Civil Aviation; Eng. Sherif El-Sherbiny, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities; Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Chairman of Egyptian Drug Authority; Mr. Sherif El-Kilani, Deputy Minister of Finance for Tax Policies; Ms. Yomna El-Bahar, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Tourism Affairs; Major General Farouk Azzam, Director of the Military Museums Department; Major General Essam El-Naggar, Chairman of the General Organization for Export and Import Control; Major General Hossam Hassan, Assistant Minister of Interior for Tourism and Antiquities Police Sector; Mr. Essam Omar, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, and Ms. Amani Al-Wasal, Head of Agreements and Foreign Trade Sector at the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade and Executive Director of the Export Development Fund, and officials from concerned ministries and authorities. While Major General Amr Hanafi, Governor of the Red Sea Governorate participated in the meeting via video conference.

Dr. Mostafa Madbouly stressed that this expanded meeting tackles a number of issues related to Tourism Sector, raised by Tourism Development Advisory Committee, referring that several outcomes and recommendations were proposed by the committee; meanwhile mechanisms for implementing what is agreed upon, with relevant ministers and officials, are being followed up on.The Prime Minister discussed a number of issues, including reviewing the status of a number of fees and service charges collected from hotel and tourism establishments for the benefit of various ministries and relevant authorities. Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities presented, in detail, all aspects of fees related to tourism and hotel activity, including definition of each fee, ministries and authorities collecting such fees, minimum and maximum collection, periodic payment plan, and the opinion regarding reviewing each fee or the service charge, remarking that this step would alleviate some of the burdens to encourage Tourism Sector for achieving the aspired growth.

Prime Minister also reviewed, during the expanded meeting, certain demands of members of Tourism Development Advisory Committee, that included facilitating the entry procedures of certain international brands required and preferred by tourists. In this regard, it was agreed upon to form a teamwork headed by Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, with membership of officials from concerned ministries and authorities for removing any obstacles facing this step and facilitating the required procedures.

The meeting also discussed demands of the members of Tourism Development Advisory Committee, regarding expansion of Marsa Alam International Airport to accommodate the increase in tourists' numbers, as the airport operating company's plan was reviewed for expansion and development during the coming period.

on his turn, Major General Amr Hanafi, Governor of the Red Sea Governorate, called for rapid operation of Berenice International Airport, particularly in light of its proximity to tourist destinations and such matter will be in coordination between Minister of Civil Aviation and the Governor in such regard.