Friday 04 Apr
Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly issued a decree appointing Ahmed Amawi Robin Youssef as head of the Egyptian Customs Authority at the Ministry of Finance for a period of one year.
Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk affirmed that a new strategy is in place to develop the customs system within an integrated vision to stimulate investment, production, and exports. He noted full coordination with the Ministries of Industry, Investment, and Foreign Trade, as well as inspection and supply agencies, to reduce customs clearance time from eight days to just two.
He stated that a harmonious and efficient team is being
formed to achieve our customs targets during the next phase, taking into
account our great confidence in the ability of customs personnel at all ports
to fulfill their duty to govern transaction management and simplify procedures.
He added that we aim to facilitate procedures, reduce
clearance time and costs, simplify the pre-clearance system, and expand
automation. We are working to encourage customers to complete all incoming
shipments before their arrival. He pointed out that customs clearance from
importers' warehouses will be made available through a "post-review"
mechanism to prevent overcrowding, while also providing an electronic system to
track containers from one port to another to enhance governance.
Kouchouk explained that the assessment and
determination of customs items will be automated, with pricing standards
standardized at customs centers.
Sherif El-Kilany, Deputy Minister for Tax Policies and
Supervisor of Customs, said that the customs system will witness numerous
facilitations in the coming period as part of the process of building trust,
partnership, and support with the business community. He pointed to the
development of risk system mechanisms and their unification with key entities,
and the expansion of the inclusion of more compliant customers on the white
list.
He pointed to the expansion of the scope of work of the
Customs Dispute Resolution Committees with the aim of reducing the number of
disputes and cases before the courts and facilitating procedures for investors.
For his part, Ahmed Amawy, said that we will exert all
our efforts, along with our colleagues in Customs, to achieve a qualitative
shift based on facilitating procedures, supporting investors, and promoting
trade and industry. He explained that the technological path will be completed
to enhance governance, reduce clearance times, lower production costs, and enhance
the competitiveness of Egyptian exports.
He added that we will build on what has been achieved and move forward with a team spirit to contribute to creating a competitive business environment that stimulates investment.
