Egypt signs guarantee agreement to launch TIR system and boost logistics hub

Egypt's General Chamber of Commerce and the Customs Authority signed a guarantee agreement to activate the international TIR (Transport International Routier) system. The pact, witnessed by Transport Minister Kamel El‑Wazir, Finance Minister Ahmed Koko, Investment Minister Mohamed Farid, Chamber Secretary‑General Mohamed Saadeh, Chamber President Ahmed El‑Wakeel and IRU Secretary‑General Umberto Di Brito, formalises Egypt’s role as the local guarantor for the UN‑backed customs convention.

The agreement aims to simplify customs procedures, cut transit times and lower transport costs for trucks crossing borders. It supports President Abdel Fattah Sisi’s plan to turn Egypt into a regional and global logistics hub, leveraging the country’s modern ports, road network and strategic location between Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Training programmes with the International Road Transport Union and the Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime Transport will prepare Egyptian personnel to operate the system. Expected benefits include reduced customs fees, exemption from VAT on transiting goods and a projected boost to export competitiveness and transit trade, which has already grown about 40 % since March.