Egypt signed a customs agreement in cooperation with Saudi Arabia, according to Magdy Abdel Aziz, Chairman of the Customs Authority, during a press conference, last Wednesday. The agreement, which was signed on Egypt's behalf by the Customs Authority affiliated to the Ministry of Finance, is applicable for three years. It is expected the agreement will facilitate the growing commerce cycle between both countries. "We are waiting for the parliament's approval in order to apply the agreement," said Abdel Aziz. The agreement fights customs' violations which negatively affect political, financial and social interests for both countries. Saudi Arabia is Egypt's foremost commercial partner amongst Arab countries. A customs committee will be arranged, under the presidency of the Egyptian Chairman of the Customs Authority and Saleh Ben Manie Al Kheleui, the General Director of the Saudi customs. It will face any obstacles that might delay the agreement`s application, according to Abdel Aziz. An official will be appointed for communicating with the customs authorities of both countries to set up the meetings to ensure cooperation and that would aim to solve any potential obstacles. The official added the agreement includes 13 articles, the most important of which is the exchange of information and investigating any custom smuggling activities. This will occur on condition that the assistance not turn into demands that people be arrested or pay customs, taxes or fines in favour of the other country. The agreement demands that the customs authorities provide a number of documents that would facilitate customs clearance on goods and exchanged commodities, according to Abdel Aziz. These facilitations include a manifest, trading invoice, packaging lists when necessary and certificate of origin for local products. Abdel Aziz added that the documents also include a certificate of origin for the foreign products that confirms the country of origin, as well as health certificates for animal and vegetarian goods.
