Trade Ministry Denies EU Appeal Against Egypt's Import Requirements

An official source at the Ministry of Trade and Industry stated that the European Union did not file an appeal before the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the procedures required by Egypt to register the EU imports received by the Egyptian market.

The source pointed out that in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Understanding, the consultations will last for 60 days, after which the aggrieved party has the right to file an appeal unless a solution is reached that satisfies both parties.

"The Egyptian government is keen to strengthen its economic and trade relations with the European side, which is one of Egypt's most important trading partners, stressing in this context Egypt's commitment to the rules and legislation regulating international trade within the framework of its membership in the World Trade Organization."

It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Trade had issued in early 2016 a decision to establish a register of factories qualified to export some products to Egypt and to prevent the release of products imported as trafficking unless they were produced by factories listed in the register, with the aim of ensuring the quality of imported products in order to preserve the health and safety of the Egyptian consumer.

The European Commission, which oversees the European Union's trade policy, said that its exports to Egypt of goods affected by these measures fell 40% after Egypt imposed these requirements on import registration in 2016.

"These import restrictions are illegal under the rules of the World Trade Organization, and we regret that Egypt has not moved to remove them despite repeated demands and efforts to resolve this crisis," EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said in a statement today.