CAIRO – Finance Minister Mohamed Maeet has called for enhancing customs co-operation with Italy and all EU countries to help facilitate inter-trade movement and exchange expertise.
Maeet, while reviewing a report from the customs authority on a twinning agreement with Italy Monday, said efforts should be exerted to boost good governance and develop potentials to counter customs evasion.
This is meant to protect Egypt against practices that harm the local indusry, economy, national security and public health, the minister noted.
He touched upon presidential directives to ban commodities that do not meet European quality standards as of March.
Head of Egypt’s Customs Authority El-Shahat Ghaturi, in his report, pointed out that the twinning agreement with Italy embodies joint cooperation between the two countries and is meant to upgrade mechanisms of action to be able to cope with international trade changes.
The deal should also encourage investment through supporting trade operations of small and medium-sized firms, Ghaturi said.
Egypt, he added, is seeking to benefit from Italy’s know-how where customs assessment is concerned.
Ghaturi made it clear that the agreement would keep Egypt updated with quality standards and best practices of Europe.