Cablegate: Egypt: Parliament Approves Harmonization Of

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEG #0087 0210900
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 210900Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7922
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 0370

UNCLAS CAIRO 000087

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/RA, EB
USAID FOR ANE/MEA MCCLOUD AND DUNN
USTR FOR MOWREY
COMMERCE FOR 4520/ITA/ANESA

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: PARLIAMENT APPROVES HARMONIZATION OF
CUSTOMS WITH WCO STANDARDS

1. Egypt's upper parliamentary chamber, the Shura Council,
has ratified the government's decision to join the
"International Convention on the Simplification and
Harmonization of Customs Procedures" (Kyoto Convention) to
reduce barriers to Egypt's international trade. Under the
convention, Egypt is obligated to harmonize its customs
procedures in accordance with World Customs Organization
(WCO) standards. Egypt brings the total WCO membership to
56 countries; trade between member countries covers 80% of
international trade. Egypt's membership takes effect in
April 2008.

2. Egypt's accession was formally approved in October 2007
by presidential decree, and ratified by parliament in
December 2007. WCO adopted the "revised Kyoto Convention"
in 1999. The convention contains modern customs documents
and procedures to be used in international trade and
transport.

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