Egyptian Minister of Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk speaking at a logistics conference organized by the German-Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Speaking at a logistics conference organized by the German-Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Kouchouk said the government is continuing efforts to streamline procedures to benefit from the country’s significant infrastructure expansion.
He noted that exceptional customs facilitations have been introduced to ease cross-border trade, including allowing the completion of customs procedures for transit shipments passing through ports without requiring prior registration under the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system.
The ongoing regional escalation has turned the Strait of Hormuz from a strategic transit lane into a global risk premium machine: even the threat of closure can disrupt shipping, spike insurance costs, and push up energy and freight prices. In practical terms, markets are reacting not only to any actual blockade but also to uncertainty because vessels may reroute, pause, or avoid the strait altogether when the security situation deteriorates.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed the Gulf economies to consider other maritime alternatives, of which Egypt’s Suez Canal is a practical alternative.
During the event, Kouchouk noted that authorities have introduced multiple alternatives to cash guarantees to simplify procedures and reduce financial burdens on investors, to boost transit trade and reinforce Egypt’s ambitions to become a global logistics hub.
Kouchouk confirmed that a package of tax and customs incentives will be submitted to the House of Representatives in the coming weeks to support trade and transit flows and reduce customs clearance times. The package includes 40 measures aimed at simplifying procedures for investors, enabling expansion, and supporting overall economic growth.
He added that Egypt is working on implementing an advanced risk management system in line with international standards to enhance pre-clearance processes, within a framework of trust and certainty with key partners. He also highlighted the existence of a robust electronic system that supports decision-making and accelerates procedures.
Kouchouk stressed the government’s commitment to strengthening governance, safeguarding borders and citizens, and preventing the entry of non-compliant goods. He noted that a fully automated and regularly updated database covering all customs regulations and procedures will be published online within days.
For his part, Ahmed El-Sewedy, chairman of the German-Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce, expressed optimism about Egypt’s promising investment opportunities, noting that investment procedures have improved and that infrastructure has become increasingly attractive and supportive of growth.
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