- The portal represents a key step toward simplifying import and export procedures and enhancing the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy
Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh:
- Launching the Foreign Trade Procedures Portal supports the state’s direction to enhance the efficiency of the export system and accelerate trade flows
- Egypt continues to implement its commitments under the Agreement on Trade Facilitation since its accession in 2019
- Cooperation with UNCTAD and development partners reflects the state’s commitment to enhancing transparency and building a more sustainable institutional framework
Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, witnessed the launch of the Foreign Trade Procedures Portal, developed as part of joint efforts between the Egyptian government and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development – UNCTAD, with funding from the United Kingdom. The initiative comes within the framework of supporting national efforts to enhance transparency, facilitate foreign trade, and improve the business environment in Egypt.
The Minister emphasized that the portal represents an important step toward simplifying import and export procedures and strengthening the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy. He explained that the portal constitutes a key tool within the broader digital transformation of the trade system and complements ongoing efforts to enhance export capabilities.
In his address at the launch event, Dr. Farid noted that the portal reflects the state’s commitment to implementing comprehensive structural reforms aimed at improving procedural efficiency and enhancing the quality of services provided to investors and stakeholders engaged in foreign trade. He added that the initiative represents a qualitative leap in making all procedures related to import, export, and transit operations accessible in a clear and simplified manner, in line with efforts to promote transparency and streamline processes for the business community.
He further stated that Egypt continues to fulfill its commitments under the Agreement on Trade Facilitation since its accession in 2019, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 553 of 2018, noting that this step builds on a broader reform trajectory that the state has pursued and steadily advanced in recent years.
The Minister expressed his appreciation for the constructive cooperation with UNCTAD, commending the intensive technical and organizational efforts undertaken to establish the portal. He noted that the platform consolidates and categorizes all procedures and regulations governing foreign trade in Egypt into a unified digital system.
Dr. Farid also acknowledged the support provided by the United Kingdom in financing the project, as well as the significant efforts of the national working group under the National Trade Facilitation Committee, which has worked over recent months to prepare, update, and upload data related to import and export procedures onto the platform.
The Minister explained that the portal aims to facilitate trade by providing accurate and up-to-date information on the practical steps and requirements necessary to complete import, export, and transit operations, in addition to identifying the relevant authorities and contact points. This will help reduce time, effort, and costs for the business community.
Dr. Farid noted that these efforts are consistent with Egypt’s commitments under the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement, particularly Article 1 concerning the publication and availability of information—especially through online publication—thereby enhancing transparency and improving access to trade-related information.
He affirmed that the government places significant emphasis on building institutional capacities and providing technical support in the area of trade facilitation. He added that cooperation with UNCTAD reflects a clear commitment to adopting international best practices and fully complying with multilateral trade agreements, thereby supporting improvements in government performance and service delivery.
Dr. Farid added that over recent years, the government has implemented a number of key measures to improve the trade environment, including the development of the legislative framework through the issuance and amendment of relevant laws, contributing to facilitating trade flows and enhancing the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy.
He concluded by emphasizing that these efforts are part of an integrated vision aligned with the objectives of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, contributing to increased foreign trade volumes, improved business environment conditions, attraction of investments, and stronger economic growth rates.
