Egypt has made great strides along a number of important human development indicators, but economic growth has been moderate, albeit insufficient to absorb the rapidly growing population and labor force.  Child mortality, life expectancy, primary and secondary school enrollment, and literacy rates have improved dramatically in the past thirty years, while average per capita income growth has been around 2% per year since 1980 resulting in an increase in unemployment rates and poverty rates.  

The economic outlook since the July 2014 Presidential election looks optimistic. GDP growth in the fourth quarter of the 2013/14 Fiscal Year (FY) was 3.7% compared to 1.5% a year earlier. GDP is expected to grow by 3.8% in FY 2014/15 and 4.3% the following year, compared to 2.2% in 2013/14.

Industrial Production in Egypt decreased 5.50 percent in August of 2015 over the same month in the previous year. Industrial Production in Egypt averaged 4.06 percent from 2004 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 36.29 percent in August of 2014 and a record low of -24.89 percent in February of 2011. 

Significant imbalances in the Egyptian economy have emerged in recent months, which combined with a deteriorating security situation, threaten to disrupt growth going forward. 

Below is a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Egypt, Arab Rep.. It examines the procedures, time and cost involved in launching a commercial or industrial firm with between 10 and 50 employees and start-up capital of 10 times the economy’s per-capita gross national income.

Most foreign companies operating in Egypt are joint stock or limited liability companies. There are sole proprietorships (such as restaurants and boutiques), but they are more difficult to establish (due to the numbing amount of permits and paperwork required) and are therefore less common.

Investors interested in establishing businesses in Egypt are subject to four laws: Corporate Law No. 159 of 1981; Investment Law No. 8 of 1997; New Communities Law No. 59 of 1979; and the Desert Land Law No. 143 of 1981

Starting a business in Egypt? Want to register your company quickly? Look no further- this document has everything that you need to know in order to complete each stage of the process. 

The General Authority for Investment Is the principal governmental authority concerned with regulating and facilitating investment, and stands ready to assist investors worldwide. GAFI broadened its scope from the traditional regulatory framework into a more effective and proactive investment promotion agency through its Research and Market Intelligence, Promotion and Facilitation and Investor Aftercare bodies.

The kinds of business firms allowed in Egypt are determined by the Law of Commerce No. 17 of 1999 and the Companies Law No. 159 of 1981. The Law of Commerce deals mainly with the sole proprietor and the simple partnerships, whereas the Companies Law regulates in detail joint stock companies, limited partnerships by shares, and limited liability companies. Each of these structures will be discussed below in details. 

The Egyptian personal income tax threshold has increased, the highest tax bracket threshold and rate decreased, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced Aug. 24 in Law No. 69 of 2015.

The Corporate Tax Rate in Egypt stands at 25 percent. In Egypt, the Corporate Income tax rate is a tax collected from companies. Its amount is based on the net income companies obtain while exercising their business activity, normally during one business year.

Below is a detailed summary of the taxes and mandatory contributions that a medium-size company must pay or withhold in a given year, as well as administrative burden in paying taxes.

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Egypt stands at 25 percent. In Egypt, the Personal Income Tax Rate is a tax collected from individuals and is imposed on different sources of income like labour, pensions, interest and dividends.

In Egypt, the sales tax rate is a tax charged to consumers based on the purchase price of certain goods and services. The benchmark we use for the sales tax rate refers to the highest rate.

Egypt Sales Tax Rate | General Sales Tax is forecast to stay unchanged at 10.0000 Percent in 2016. See forecast data tables and charts for Egypt – sales tax rate, sales tax rate, sales tax rate. Search results, country stats, indicator forecasts, economic calendar and news for: Egypt sales tax rate forecast. Updated on January 12, 2016.

Visa requirements and costs from the Embassy of Egypt.

Unfortunately, the application process itself is anything but simple. Obtaining an Egyptian work permit is an arduous descent into the bowels of Egyptian government bureaucracy – the author has met more than one expat whose application has been in processing for close to a year (or longer!). 

To enter Egypt, a passport valid for at least six months from the date of issue of the visa is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. Visitors from all countries, except nationals of the EU and theUSA, must register with the police within one week of arrival in Egypt, although this service is normally undertaken by hotels. When you check in at your hotel the receptionist will ask to see your passport, and will record its details for the police.

The process for acquiring a work permit for Egypt can be complicated and Egyptian authorities are inefficient at times. 

Ministry of Communications Egypt’s development of its telecommunications infrastructure as it evolves into a fully-fledged information society as of 2003. Highlighted are the overall growth of its infrastructure, voice core network, broadband Internet access, Internet gateways, mobile operators, data communication backbone, fixed wireless technologies and international communication hub.

Egypt’s infrastructure is relatively underdeveloped. The country is serviced by a network of over 64,000 kilometers (39,769 miles) of primary and secondary roads, 49,984 kilometers (31,060 miles) of which are paved. Despite the modernization of the road system in the 1980s, most roads remain in poor condition or under construction.

Cairo is the only city in Egypt with a metro system. Tuk Tuk These clever scooters-with-seats, ubiquitous in Thailand and India, have arrived in Egypt. Locals call them tok-tok (turns out the onomatopoeia of their tiny engines works in Arabic too), and they’re especially popular in small towns. They’re typically the same price or cheaper than taxis (E£10, say, for a 15-minute ride), with a pounding shaabi (music of the working class) soundtrack for free.

In the following, we aim to shed some light on the more relevant laws applicable in Egypt. In this respect, we shall focus on the corporate, labour, investment, and property laws of the country.

A work permit is required for foreigners who intend to work in Egypt. The new Egyptian labor law promulgated by law no 12 of 2003 (the “New Labor Law”) provides that the employer is allowed to employ the employees on probation for up to three months and the employment contract may be either for a definite or an indefinite period of time.

Depending on your employer and how you are getting paid, you may or may not have a written contract in Egypt.

Egyptian Government labor law portal.

Dr. Youssef Boutros Ghali, the Minister of Finance announced that the services of e-government would be extended to all social insurance services, in order to facilitate matters for some 25 million citizens. The number includes pensioners and workers covered by social insurance in both public and private sectors, in addition to millions of businessmen and Egyptians working abroad.

For Egyptian employees, who must constitute a significant part of a company’s workforce, there is a social security system under which the employer pays contributions equivalent to approximately one-fourth of the salary earned, up to a certain limit of salary.

Cost of living in Egypt is 51.11% lower than in United States (aggregate data for all cities, rent is not taken into account). Rent in Egypt is 75.13% lower than in United States (average data for all cities).

The cost of living in Egypt is low by Western standards. Recent figures show that the cost of living is 70 percent lower in Cairo than London, 62 percent lower than in Washington DC, and about the same as Mumbai, India. 

This guide to doing business in Egypt offers some very basic pointers on some of the above mentioned areas such as business culture and etiquette. It is not intended to summarise all ‘doing business tips’ nor meant to stereotype the Egyptians. 

Egyptian business culture places great emphasis on personal relationships. You will find building rapport and personal trust to be crucial elements of any Egyptian business venture.

Global Affairs Canada advises against non-essential travel to Egypt due to the unpredictable security situation. This advisory does not apply to the Red Sea coastal resorts of Hurghada (and its surroundings) and Sharm el-Sheikh, nor to the area from Luxor to Aswan along the upper Nile, where you should exercise a high degree of caution.

Latest travel advice by country including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health.

With the small exception of its strip of Mediterranean coastline, the whole of Egypt has an arid desert climate. Throughout Egypt, days are commonly warm or hot, and nights are cool.

Throughout Egypt, days are commonly warm or hot, and nights are cool. Egypt has only two seasons: a mild winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. 

Egypt has an extensive education system that outstrips all others in the Middle East and North Africa, and where even tertiary education is free. The compulsory primary education program follows kindergarten at age 4. Primary school that begins at age six takes 6 years and preparatory school another 3. During this introductory phase pupils may enroll at state, religious or private schools by choice.

Education is an important tool that is applied in the world to succeed – it helps people to face the challenges of life.

Public Holidays in Egypt in 2016

Holidays In Egypt

Egypt Demographics Profile 2014

According to a survey conducted in July 2007, is estimated to be around 80,335,036. The estimated rate of growth of population in Egypt is 1.721%. Egypt is considered to be one of the populous countries in Africa. The sex ratio of Egypt population is 1.017 males per female.

The Egyptian Department of Customs, which operates under the Ministry of Finance, is responsible for clearing merchandise into Egypt. Imported goods may not legally enter Egyptian commerce until the shipment has arrived within the port of entry and customs has authorized delivery of the merchandise. 

Travel and customs requirements.

Egypt is party to the following regional agreements: Agadir Agreement, COMESA Agreement, European Union-Egypt Association Agreement, GAFTA, Egypt-Turkey Free Trade Agreement, and numerous free and preferential trade agreements with individual Arab countries.

Egyptian housing rental website

Egypt is both a delightful and frustrating country to relocate to. But if one keeps their sense of humor and openness to the adventure available on nearly every street corner, you’ll leave with a pocketful of memories of her gentle, friendly people, history, beaches, mountains, and deserts.

Egypt’s Official tourism website.