Strengthening Coordination between GAFI, the Customs Authority, and French Companies to support Investments and advance Customs Reforms
As part of Egypt’s efforts to strengthen the investment climate, improve the business environment, and attract additional foreign investment, the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) held an extensive meeting with the French Ambassador to Egypt, H.E. Éric Chevallier, and Mr. Ahmad Amawi, Head of the Egyptian Customs Authority (ECA).
The meeting brought together senior French officials, including Mr. Pascal Furth, Head of the Economic department, French Embassy to Egypt; Country Director Business France Egypt; Laurent Pasquier, Regional Customs Attaché; and Mohamed Saad, Head of the branch of the Egyptian Foreign Trade Advisors to France (CCEF), along with representatives of French companies operating in the Egyptian market, to discuss ways to enhance investment and advance the business environment.
Heiba, GAFI CEO, underscored the important role that French investments play in supporting Egypt’s economic growth, noting the significant expansion of French companies’ activities in the country and the diversity of their involvement across industrial and service sectors. He explained that the government is pressing ahead with wide-ranging reforms to modernize the customs system, including accelerating pre-clearance procedures, expanding the use of digital platforms, improving customs valuation methods, and reducing release times—measures that collectively strengthen the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy and facilitate trade flows.
Heiba noted that French investors can benefit from the investors standing care unit as well as the Investor Dispute Settlement Center (IDSC), stressing that these mechanisms offer swift and effective solutions that help ensure the stability of their investment activities. He added that this meeting marks the start of a regular dialogue platform between GAFI, the French Embassy, and French companies, aimed at discussing challenges, addressing obstacles, and improving the overall business environment.
On his part, the French Ambassador expressed his country’s commitment to strengthening economic and investment cooperation with Egypt, stressing that French companies are key partners in supporting the Egyptian economy and expanding investment opportunities across a wide range of sectors.
He affirmed that regular meetings between both sides offer an important opportunity to exchange expertise and ideas, helping to resolve obstacles and simplify procedures for French investors.
Mr. Ahmad Amawi, ECA Head, also outlined the key customs reforms currently underway, particularly those related to streamlining procedures, enhancing the digital infrastructure, and accelerating trade flows. These efforts align with international best practices and contribute to improving the quality of services provided to investors.
The meeting included an extensive discussion session between representatives of French companies and government officials, during which participants reviewed customs-related challenges and supply-chain issues. The discussions also explored opportunities to further support the growth and stability of French investments in Egypt.
A number of leading French companies took part in the session, representing sectors such as automotive, energy, food industries, logistics, biotechnology, aviation, sports, and hospitality. These included Valeo, Air Liquide, Bel, CMA CGM, bioMérieux, Dassault, SCAT, Decathlon, and Groupe Barrière.
At the end of the meeting, both sides expressed their eagerness to maintain ongoing coordination and joint efforts, emphasizing that constructive dialogue between Egyptian government institutions and French companies represents a key step in supporting the business community and facilitating investment flows, thereby strengthening economic relations between the two countries and advancing Egypt’s efforts to improve the investment environment.
