The project targets to tighten control on outlets in order to combat smuggling as well as automate and link customs work and inspection entities.

EL Fekki : settlement of disputes arisen with the imp...

The project targets to tighten control on outlets in order to combat smuggling as well as automate and link customs work and inspection entities. EL Fekki : settlement of disputes arisen with the implementing company… we are keen on improving the services provided for clearance firms and importers. Within Ministry of Finance’s plans to tighten control on customs outlets and combat smuggling, Minister of Finance, Hany Kadry Dimian , declared that, starting establishment of 19 developed logistic centers to facilitate imports customs release to reduce clearance time to the global level. He also said that these logistic centers will be established in two phases , the first shall include 8 centers in customs of Cairo , Port Said , El Sokhna , Alexandria , Damietta , El Dekhila and EL Adabia ports as well as the previous release customs , while the second phase shall include 11 centers in customs of Aswan , El Ismailia, Por Fouad, Nuweiba, Safaga , El Saloum , Arish , Alexandria, Ameria , El Ouja ports and customs zone for the Eastern Company S.A.E. All the above was during signing the addendum to the agreement entered into between the Egyptian Customs Authority and MTS Company, signed by both Heads of Customs Authority Dr/ Magdi Abdel Aziz , and MTS Company Mr / Osama El Sherif to establish logistic centers all over the Republic.        The Minister confirmed that these logistic centers shall apply the latest clearance procedures according to automation systems in order to effectively tighten control on the Egyptian international trade to protect the Egyptian industries that faces unfair competition through fraud and smuggling practices and meanwhile improve services presented to theentities deal with customs such as ; clearance firms, importers and exporters, that leads to improve Egypt’s grade in the World Trade Freedom Index, consequently attract more investments to the Egyptian market. Major General , Atef El Fekki the IT assistant to Minister of Finance, revealed that , the disputes arise with the implementing company out of delay of implementation of the project agreement signed in 2011, has been settled, referring that delay of implementation was due to that some people misunderstood how logistic centers shall actually operate, shall they replace clearance firms that shall have no role in customs clearance system at all, which is absolutely incorrect , as there are already several developed logistic centers dealing with clearance firms to finalize the required measures, noting that the aim behind establishing these developed logistic centers is to improve customs services through activating developed and integrated automated system of the single window system according to international standards organizing logistic works and to the recommendations of the United Nations and the World Customs Organization. He also added that in order to implement the single window system there will be an electronic linkage between Customs and different inspection entities; such as the General Organization for Export and Import Control , Ministers of Health and Agriculture represented in veterinary quarantine ,electricity , ports authorities , other inspection entities, electronic payment and collection systems of outstanding taxes and fees, whereas reports of such control bodies concerning electronic imported and exported consignments shall be exchanged. He also said that the role of MTS Company that 60 % of its capital is owned to the government, and 40% of same is owned by the private sector, is to facilitate citizens transactions with customs through an integrated system of customs work, and control on imports and exports to facilitate customs clearance, for the favor of importer and exporter in addition to reducing clearance time therefore decreasing import cost providing consumers the goods at low prices and suitable quality.  He also said that MTS Company ‘s work in the logistic field doesn’t only include customs clearance ,but it’s work is based on a plan implemented by the Customs Authority to organize logistic work rules to be adhered by all the service providers subject to the international standards.