Egypt’s varied history, straddling multiple geopolitical and economic spheres, continues to shape the country’s development. However, this does not come without challenges. Food security uncertainty stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 is a particular headwind, in combination with associated issues like inflation and foreign exchange risk. Moreover, 29.7% of Egyptians sti
This chapter explores Egypt’s legal system, including the laws that are most relevant for foreign investors. These include those that regulate corporate operations, labour, investment and property, as well as the regulations governing the country’s free zones. In recent years efforts have been made to ensure that local and international investors are treated equally, and a number of business…
The legal environment is a major factor in an investor’s decision to set up shop in a foreign country, as is the ease of doing business once the enterprise begins operations. Egyptian laws that are most relevant for foreign investors are those that regulate corporate operations, labour, investment and property. Corporate Law All newly established corporate vehicles in Egypt are subject…
Viewpoint:Mohamad Talaat Due to the political climate, Egypt has faced a number of economic challenges. While the uprisings have brought the country out of stagnation, they have also interrupted commerce, which had led to a prolonged closure of the stock market as well as a drop in some of the country’s main industries, such as tourism. In recent decades, however, the focus has been on incentivising…
The legal environment is a major factor in an investor’s decision to set up shop in a foreign country and the ease of doing business once operable. This overview sheds light on the relevant laws that are most applicable to foreign investors in Egypt, focusing on the corporate, labour, investment and property laws of the country. 1. Corporate Law All newly established corporate vehicles…
This chapter introduces the reader to the different aspects of the legal system in Egypt, in partnership with Helmy, Hamza & Partners. It also contains a viewpoint with Mohamad Talaat, Managing Partner, Helmy, Hamza & Partners.…
Egypt is a large and fast-growing country. It is the most-populous Arab nation, the third-most-pop¬ulous country in Africa and the 14th-most-populous country in the world. As of 2017 the population was some 97.5m, according to the World Bank, and growing by 2% per year. According to the live ticker on the website for the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics the population is over
Egypt has enjoyed a period of political stability since the turbulence of 2011-13, implementing a wide-ranging programme of economic reform. The process started with a drive to rebalance the economy through a number of challenging initiatives, including the reduction of subsidies, the introduction of value-added tax and the liberation of the Egyptian pound. At the outset of 2018, these headline me
Viewpoint:Mohamad Talaat Egypt has experienced several dramatic political developments, leaving it with some economic challenges. While the uprisings lifted the country from stagnation, they also interrupted commerce, leading to a prolonged closure of the stock market and a drop in tourism. In recent decades the focus has been on incentivising investment. The Companies Law No. 159 of 1981 and…
In conjunction with Helmy, Hamza & Partners, this chapter contains an overview of the legal framework in which local and foreign investors operate in Egypt, including the regulations governing different sectors, the rules for investment and expatriate employment, and recently introduced legislation on trade and financial services. This chapter contains a viewpoint from Mohamad Talaat, Managing…