The major industrial countries are putting pressures on Egypt and developing countries to cancel the free zone areas system, which includes extensive tax, and custom exemptions that help lower cost of products aimed for export, according to the opposition Al Wafd newspaper.
According to the paper, the Egyptian premier Atef Ebeid disclosed at his meeting last week with the industry and energy parliamentary committee that there are pressures placed on Egypt to “liberalize commerce and services.”
Egypt is asked to abide by agreements that ban direct and indirect support for goods and services intended for export. Ebeid explained his country’s commitment to the resolutions of GATT, which will be fully implemented by 2003 on all goods imported from abroad.
Ebeid also confirmed that his government has prepared a bill to cancel the free zone areas, which were established in the various districts, cities, airports and seaports. These areas, according to Ebeid, will be developed into special investment areas and will be privileged with customs and tax exemptions on goods and services on a par with other countries – Albawaba.com
