The Trade and Industry Ministry is reportedly considering amendments to the rules that govern the issuing of manufacturing licenses for heavy duty industries such as cement and steel, government sources said yesterday. The proposed changes — which have been submitted to the Madbouly Cabinet for review — would base the fees for manufacturing licenses on a project’s investment cost, doing away with the current system that awards licenses to the highest bidder at auctions, which the government now sees as off-putting for investors. No further details were provided. The Industrial Development Authority had previously said it would issue licenses only to manufacturers that can go up the value chain.

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