Egypt’s Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli instructed the government on Sunday to prepare a list of goods accumulated at customs points at the nation’s ports in preparation for clearing them in the coming period.
During a meeting with a host of officials, including the governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the ministers of supply and agriculture, the prime minister also commanded the government to start the gradual clearance of the backlog of goods at the ports.
The prime minister’s meeting with the aforementioned officials focused on the availability of commodities in markets around the nation and the foreign currency needed for the purchase of strategic commodities, especially wheat, cooking oils, and dairy products, Cabinet Spokesman, Mohamed al-Homosani, said.
He quoted the CBE governor as referring what he described as an agenda of priorities for the work of his institution.
On top of these priorities, the CBE governor said, is the provision of the foreign currency needed for the purchase of strategic commodities, such as medicines, in cooperation with the ministries and agencies concerned.
According to the cabinet spokesman, commodities valued at $1.3 billion have accumulated at the nation’s ports.
These goods, he said, include foodstuffs, medicines and animal fodder.
He noted that latest news about a gigantic investment deal in the North Coast with the United Arab Emirates has positively affected commodity prices in the local market, bringing some of these prices down.
Al-Homosani especially referred to the prices of maize and soya beans.
The government is in continual follow-up of the market, the Cabinet spokesman said.
The prime minister commanded the government, meanwhile, to give priority to the clearance of foodstuffs, medicines and animal feed from port customs’ points, al-Homosani said.
