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

In implementation of the directives of the political leadership, and based on the instructions of the Prime Minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, regarding ensuring the continuity of work at ports and customs outlets and accelerating the pace of releasing shipments and goods, the Ministries of Investment and Foreign Trade and Finance confirmed the continuation of work at full operational capacities throughout the year, including official holidays, to ensure the smooth flow of foreign trade and prevent the accumulation of goods.

The two ministries explained that only four days during the year are exempted from this, Al Wakfa (day before Eid) and the first day of Eid al-Fitr, and the day before Eid and the first day of Eid al-Adha, to achieve the balance between the continuity of work and organizational considerations.

This decision aims to reduce trade circulation and storage costs, reduce financial burdens on Business Community, enhance the competitiveness of the national economy, and make export-oriented industrial investment more attractive.

The two ministries stressed that all regulatory bodies operating at ports, banks, Egyptian customs, and bodies associated with the customs release system continue their work throughout the year, with export procedures continuing to be completed 24 hours a day, and imports being inspected until 6 pm, in order to ensure quick release and achieve the required smoothness in foreign trade.

In this context, Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, stated that Egypt is moving forward in enhancing competitiveness of the national economy and completing efforts to develop the business environment, stressing the full continuation of the implementation of existing policies, procedures and initiatives, while building on the achievements made, in a way that contributes to reducing customs clearance time, simplifying procedures provided to exporters and importers, and raising the efficiency of institutional services.

The minister added that the current stage requires the highest levels of institutional discipline, rapid response, and teamwork, that will enhance the confidence of the investor, exporter, and importer community, and reassure the public about the continuity of the reform and development process, especially in meeting the needs of citizens during the holy month of Ramadan, as the necessary measures have been taken to provide basic commodities and food supplies and to accelerate release of its imports.

On his part, Dr. Ahmed Koujak Minister of Finance, affirmed that banks play a pivotal role in accelerating customs procedures by enabling the payment of fees electronically around the clock throughout the year, and by providing integrated banking services related to the customs process, thus ensuring the speedy release of shipments and enhancing the smooth trade flow

The Minister of Finance indicated that the full cooperation between the two ministries and the banks concerned represents a model of effective institutional integration, and aims to reduce the time of customs release to only two days, that contributes to reducing the cost of working capital, increasing the speed of inventory turnover within factories, and enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian exports.

The two ministries affirmed that achieving this target represents an economic pillar to support exports growth, deepen local manufacturing, and integrate the Egyptian economy into global value chains, thereby enhancing Egypt’s position as a regional hub for trade and logistics.

They also stressed the government’s commitment to monitoring customs performance indicators on a regular basis, and to continuous coordination with all relevant authorities to ensure the achievement of targets and to enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy regionally and internationally, while ensuring the rapid fulfillment of the needs of citizens and investors alike.