Egypt needs to cancel dutyfree access for imported cars if it wants to encourage domestic car assembly and become a regional export hub, Nissan managing director for Africa Mike Whitfield told the Africa Report. While fully assembled vehicles from the EU enter Egypt at zero customs, companies like Nissan have to pay duties on parts imported for local assembly which Whitfield suggests holds back the local industry. Nissan positions itself as the only global vehicle manufacturer with a 100%-owned plant in Egypt, as opposed to most manufacturers, which grant licenses to (or partner with) local players.

Global IT solutions and services provider Softline has chosen its Egypt office to act as a regional center of its operations in MENA, reports the local press. Softline had exited the Egyptian market back in 2011, but reentered earlier this year due to the stable environment for investment, VP of International Business Development Evgeny Tkachenko said.