Cairo: The Egyptian Customs Authority and the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC) have signed a TIR guarantee agreement, marking a pivotal step in implementing the UN-backed international road transport system aimed at facilitating cross-border trade. The signing ceremony was graced by the presence of Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk, Transport Minister Kamel Wazir, and Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Egypt is planning to launch two international Arab trade corridors linking Europe with Gulf countries through its territory. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to develop eight integrated logistics corridors connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. Transport Minister Kamel Wazir emphasized that the two planned trade corridors would complement major international transport initiatives, such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), China's Belt and Road Initiative, and the Iraq-Turkey Development Road project through partnerships with global shipping lines.
The Northern Arab Trade Corridor is set to connect Europe with Jordan, Iraq, and Syria through Egypt, primarily via the Arish-Taba logistics corridor and services operated by the Arab Bridge Maritime Company. Meanwhile, the Southern Arab Trade Corridor will link Europe with Gulf countries through Egypt via Safaga Port and Saudi Arabia's NEOM Port, eventually extending to the rest of the Gulf.
Minister Wazir stated that these corridors will connect ports on the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Suez Canal with dry ports, logistics centers, and industrial, agricultural, and mining zones via railways, high-speed rail lines, and highways. This initiative is part of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's strategy to capitalize on Egypt's strategic location at the crossroads of global trade routes and enhance its role as a regional logistics and transit hub.
Egypt is currently developing eight integrated logistics corridors aimed at reducing transport costs, shortening cargo transit times, improving supply chain efficiency, and supporting exports and industrial production. Among these is the Berenice-Aswan-East Oweinat-Kufra-N'Djamena logistics corridor, which is intended to strengthen trade links with Libya, Chad, and Central Africa by creating a new trade route connecting the Red Sea with the African continent.
Wazir highlighted the importance of the Egypt-Libya-Chad road project as a key component of the corridor, expected to facilitate trade between Egypt and African countries while improving connectivity between Chad, Gulf states, and South and East Asia. He noted that Egypt continues to invest in ports, railways, high-speed rail networks, and logistics zones as part of a long-term strategy to enhance regional connectivity, improve competitiveness, and establish the country as a gateway linking Europe, the Gulf, Africa, and Asia.
The minister elaborated on these plans following the signing of the guarantee agreement to implement the United Nations-backed Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) system. This system is designed to simplify customs procedures, reduce border clearance times, and reinforce Egypt's position as a regional transport and logistics hub.