Egypt has started a series of extensive moves to integrate with the government’s efforts to provide opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMes) to reach international markets, according to Ibrahim El-Araby, President of the General Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC) and President of the Union of African Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Agriculture, and Professions (UACCIAP).
The aim is to encourage Egyptian exporters to participate in the electronic catalog launched under the auspices of the Prime Minister last June, as well as encourage them to benefit from the services of “Gosoor” launched by the Ministry of the Public Business Sector, and utilize the package of incentives launched by the Ministries of Trade and Industry for SMEs.
El-Araby explained that the Office of the Assistant Minister of Public Business Sector for Technical Affairs and Follow-up issued a clarification statement No. 7777 last week regarding an integrated package of services provided by “Gosoor”.
It included promotion and mediation to open new markets for Egyptian exports. The electronic catalog included all Egyptian products that can be exported, and the inputs required to be imported according to modern business mechanisms and models, with free registration available on the catalog.
Moreover, the catalog has been promoted among the export councils, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Egyptian Industries, and MSMEDA. Introductory videos, electronic text messages, workshops via video conference and social media, and some television interviews were provided to introduce Egyptian producers to how to register the data of their companies, products and inputs on the electronic catalog.
This can create a demand for these products through the external branches of El-Nasr Company, which operates a network of sales specialists and agents.
He added that the government’s efforts include an integrated package of logistical services, including land transport from the factory land, sea or air transport to the target market, customs clearance, assembly for small exporters, warehousing, and inspection.
These services are provided in cooperation with major specialized international companies in each target market, in addition to financial services, including working capital financing and export financing services in cooperation with the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), and insurance on shipments in cooperation with the Misr Insurance Company.
He stressed that all of these services would facilitate opening new markets for SMEs that are otherwise unable to open branches or offices for themselves abroad, in addition to providing an integrated package of logistical services and financing and insurance for all types of companies, giving manufacturers the opportunity to focus on increasing production.
