Doing Business in Egypt: 2015 Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 2010. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. Chapter 1: Doing Business In Egypt Chapter 2: Political and Economic Environment Chapter 3: Selling U.S. Products and Services Chapter 4: Leading Sectors for U.S. Export and Investment Chapter 5: Trade Regulations, Customs and Standards Chapter 6: Investment Climate Chapter 7: Trade and Project Financing Chapter 8: Business Travel Chapter 9: Contacts, Market Research and Trade Events Chapter 10: Guide to Our Services Return to table of contents Chapter 1: Doing Business in Egypt Market Overview Market Challenges Market Opportunities Market Entry Strategy Market Overview Return to top Egypt is an important strategic partner and the United States continues to engage with Egypt on our mutually shared interests including strong commercial ties. With a population of over 88 million and a GDP of USD 272 billion there are solid opportunities for U.S. firms in the medium-to-long term. Egypt’s strategic location offers companies a platform for their commercial activities into the Middle East and Africa. In 2014, U.S. – Egypt bilateral trade increased from USD 6.8 billion in 2013 to USD 7.9 billion. US Exports to Egypt increased 20% from USD 5.18 billion to USD 6.47, while Egyptian exports to the U.S. decreased from USD 1.61 billion to USD 1.41 billion. Egypt is the third largest export market for U.S. products and services in the Middle East and the 39th largest export market in the world. U.S. Foreign Direct Investment in Egypt reached USD 21.1 billion in 2014 representing 32% of U.S. direct investment in Africa. In 2014, Egypt was the largest recipient of U.S. direct investment in Africa, and second in the Middle East. The U.S. is Egypt’s third largest trading partner and the second largest foreign investor after the U.K. Egypt’s GDP grew approximately 2.2 percent in 2014 and foreign reserves dropped to USD 15 billion in January 2015 from 17 billion in January 2014 with an injection from Gulf donors. Egypt’s credit rating increased to B-/B in November 2013. Following the change of government in July 2013, Egypt continues to struggle with slow economic growth. Since then, Egyptians voted to approve a new constitution in January 2014, and presidential elections were held in May 2014. The new president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El- Sisi, was sworn in on June 8, 2014. Parliamentary elections are expected to take place in the fall of 2015. Delays in government decision making and foreign currency availability continue to create challenges for foreign traders and investors. Market Challenges Return to top The Central Bank’s currency auction system and currency controls continue to restrict access to foreign currency. Egypt’s inability to significantly increase its level of exports and foreign direct investment, while its imports continue to rise, means that a lack of foreign exchange is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Long term monetary policy and fiscal reforms, including broadening of the tax base and subsidy reform are critical to overall economic stability. While significant progress was made on reforms in 2014, more recently the government has delayed several planned reform measures including fuel cards, implementation of a VAT and capital gains taxes, and income tax increases. Although the oil and gas sector presents opportunities, low energy prices and government arrearages to international oil companies and market-distorting subsidies have fostered under- investment and over-consumption. Egypt is a signatory to international arbitration agreements; however Egyptian courts do not always recognize foreign judgments. Resolution of any dispute is very slow, with the time to adjudicate a case to completion averaging three to five years. Other obstacles to trade and investment include excessive bureaucracy, a shortage of skilled labor, and limited access to credit, slow and cumbersome customs procedures, intellectual property issues and non-tariff trade barriers. Market Opportunities Return to top The renewable equipment market is worth several billion dollars. In 2008, the Egyptian Supreme Energy Council approved the Egyptian Renewable Energy National Strategy to satisfy 20 percent of the generated electricity by 2022 using renewable energies. The architecture/construction market has been growing rapidly at a rate of 15 percent a year since the 1980s, resulting in a substantial boom in residential and commercial real estate. There is strong demand for infrastructure projects due to rapid population growth and housing shortages. The sector is expected to grow 70% over the next five years to reach USD 12 billion. Egypt is the largest oil producer in Africa outside OPEC and is also the largest oil and natural gas consumer in Africa. Over the past two years, 53 agreements were signed, with minimum investments of roughly $2.9 billion and a total of $432 million in signing bonuses for the drilling of 228 wells. In early 2015, procedures are underway to ink three new agreements, with investments totaling $9.2 billion. The Egyptian government is keen on expanding the healthcare industry, especially relating to medical devices, and plans for the development of 26 new hospitals in 2015. Nevertheless, challenges include the registration process and IPR protection. Consumer healthcare grew by 14 percent in 2014 and spending was USD 23.4 billion. Egypt’s economy is diverse, with agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and services constituting the bulk of output. Agriculture accounts for 40 percent of employment and 20 percent of GDP. Egypt relies heavily on imported wheat, corn and soybeans of which the U.S. is a supplier. Market Entry Strategy Return to top U.S. small and medium-sized companies should find an Egyptian firm to represent them in the local market. The U.S. Commercial Service offers the Gold Key and International Partner Search programs that are designed to assist U.S. companies in identifying local agents/distributors for their products. It is advisable to take a long-term approach to the Egyptian market rather than seeking immediate return. U.S. firms should be aware of the current status regarding access to foreign exchange and make efforts to structure their business in a manner which will limit exposure to foreign exchange restraints. The U.S. Embassy sends many Egyptian buyer delegations to designated International Buyer Program shows in the U.S. Trade missions and regional trade shows provide other opportunities to meet Egyptian buyers. See www.export.gov/egypt for the latest events. Return to table of contents Chapter 2: Political and Economic Environment For background information on the political and economic environment of the country, please click on the link below to the U.S. Department of State Background Notes. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5309.htm Return to table of contents Return to table of contents Chapter 3: Selling U. S. Products and Services • Using an Agent or Distributor • Establishing an Office • Franchising • Direct Marketing • Joint Ventures/Licensing • Selling to the Government • Distribution and Sales Channels • Selling Factors/Techniques • Electronic Commerce • Trade Promotion and Advertising • Pricing • Sales Service/Customer Support • Protecting Your Intellectual Property • Due Diligence • Local Professional Services • Web Resources Using an Agent or Distributor Return to top It is highly recommended that U.S. companies enter the Egyptian market via a well-placed agent or distributor, particularly if working with government agencies. Established agents and distributors offer in-depth knowledge of local laws and regulations and they can offer key introductions in a society that is relationship-based. Agents can coordinate transactions with the Egyptian buyer, including after-sales service, and are committed to finalizing the transaction to their client’s satisfaction. Additionally, agents and distributors perform a public relations role, exposing the U.S. Company’s brand, product, or services to a wide network of contacts within Egypt. It is also advisable to take a long-term approach to the Egyptian market rather than seeking immediate return. Egyptian law concerning commercial agency agreements is among the most liberal in the Middle East. The law, which is neutral concerning exclusivity and compensation, does not require you to cancel an agency agreement once you enter into one, and there is no minimum notification period for cancellation. There is no requirement that the agent authorizes the import of the foreign principal's products into Egypt or that the importation takes place through the agent. Importers of any product must be separately registered. Commercial agents must register the existence of their agency with the Ministry of Trade and Industry Commercial Registry Department, giving basic facts about the agreement, including the amount of commission received on sales. The foreign firm itself faces no local registration requirement. The commercial agency law is also neutral concerning dispute settlement procedures, leaving this to the parties to decide, preferably in writing, at the time of appointment of the agent. Commission rates vary according to the type of product or service, volume of sales, and involvement needed by the agent. The larger the volume of sales is, the smaller the commission. For commodities such as rice, wheat, sugar, lumber or cotton, the commission ranges between 1-3 percent; for chemicals and foodstuffs 3-5 percent; for medical equipment, earthmoving equipment, and office/business equipment, about 10 percent; for expensive laboratory and scientific equipment 15 percent. For major related projects such as a complete civil engineering project, the commission is typically 3-5 percent. In tenders, the commission is calculated in the quoted bid. If a bidder reduces the bid price, the agent typically is asked to share in the reduction.