Egypt and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday to mutually recognise conformity certificates for non-food industrial goods, a move aimed at streamlining trade, reducing inspection costs, and boosting bilateral commerce. The agreement was signed in Tunis by Essam El-Naggar, chairman of Egypt's General Organisation for Export and Import Control (GOEIC), and Khaled Soufi, president of the Egyptian Organisation for Standardisation and Quality (EOS), alongside Tunisian counterparts. The MoU sets up a mechanism for mutual acceptance of certificates issued by the competent authorities in both countries for agreed industrial products, covering goods of Egyptian or Tunisian origin. The initiative is expected to cut pre-export inspection times, avoid duplicate checks, and strengthen trust in regulatory systems and national laboratories. According to a statement from the ministry of investment, the agreement aims to support domestic industries, facilitate regional market access, and help lift bilateral trade to $1 billion. Egyptian officials attending the signing included Ambassador to Tunis Bassam Hassan and Commercial Attaché Mohamed El-Maghrabi, while Tunisia was represented by Nafâa BOUTITI, Director General of the National Institute of Standardisation and Industrial Property (INNORPI), and a technical delegation. The officials also discussed expanding trade and investment cooperation, promoting Tunisian investment in Egypt, showcasing opportunities for Egyptian companies in Tunisia, and identifying sectors for joint private-sector partnerships. Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $434.5 million in 2024, a 15.4 per cent increase from the previous year. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
