Belgium has returned two artifacts to Egypt that were smuggled illegally out of the country, the Tourism Ministry said in a statement yesterday. The two statues, one of a wooden ushabti and another from the Old Kingdom period, were seized by Belgian authorities in 2016 from a gallery after its owner failed to provide documentation on its provenance.

FinMin wants to expedite tax appeals: The Finance Ministry will establish “integrated” tax appeal committees responsible for settling disputes between the Tax Authority and medium and large taxpayers, according to a cabinet statement. The committees will expedite settlements related to income tax, VAT, stamp duties, and development fees.

El Sewedy on board for Toshka reclamation: El Sewedy Electric for Trading and Distribution has been awarded EGP 2.2 bn worth of contracts as part of the project to reclaim land for wheat farming in Toshka, it said in an EGX disclosure (pdf). The project includes the reclamation of 375k feddans and is set to be completed within a six-month period.