More help for exporters
The Customs Authority will establish a new unit dedicated to investigating complaints from exporters about customs procedures, new customs boss El Shahat El Ghatwary said in a statement on Friday. The unit will be tasked with proposing solutions to improve customs clearance and remove obstacles faced by exporters.
This is the second export-focused decision in less than a week: The cabinet last week decided to bring back a long-dormant export council set up to administer a national export strategy. The body will be in charge of legislative and administrative policymaking aimed at driving export growth.
Efforts to speed up customs clearance will step up later this year when Nafeza goes live. Shippers will begin sending cargo data electronically to the Customs Authority’s new Nafeza platform in July, an electronic system designed to streamline the streamline customs procedures and improve border security.
Increasing non-oil exports is a pillar of the new structural reform program announced by the government last month. The government wants to increase exports from the manufacturing, telecoms and IT, and agriculture sectors.