I: Overview

The Chambers of Commerce were established pursuant to Law No. 14 of 1933, which constituted the first legislative recognition of chambers of commerce and their importance. This was followed by the issuance of Law No. 189 of 1951 on Chambers of Commerce and its amendments, as well as its Executive Regulations issued by Ministerial Decree No. 25 of 2002 and its amendments. There are currently 27 chambers of commerce across Egypt, in addition to their General Federation.

The Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade supervises the Chambers of Commerce pursuant to Prime Ministerial Decree No. 2601 of 2025, which designates the Ministry as the competent authority responsible for the implementation of the provisions of Law No. 189 of 1951 and its amendments. The General Administration of Chambers of Commerce, within the Agreements and Foreign Trade Sector, serves as the supervisory body and the central liaison between the Ministry, the chambers of commerce, and their General Federation. Accordingly, the chambers of commerce and their General Federation fall under the authority of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade.

II: The Significance of Coordination and Integration

• The coordination and integration between the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade and the private sector, represented by the chambers of commerce, play an essential role in economic policymaking. This contributes effectively to strategic planning processes and to the formulation of policies related to investment and foreign trade.
• The joint efforts between the Ministry and the chambers of commerce contribute to improving business and investment services, facilitating procedures for conducting business and investment activities, and further developing the investment climate.
• The exports and foreign trade play a pivotal role in attracting both domestic and foreign investments and in promoting Egyptian exports. This also requires strengthened coordination among initiatives aimed at encouraging foreign trade, opening new markets for domestic products, and enhancing marketing and promotional efforts for investment and trade opportunities locally and globally.
• A sound legislative and regulatory environment enables the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade to issue regulations and legislation that are better aligned with the needs of the private sector, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of the investment environment.