{"id":682198,"date":"2026-01-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/?p=682198"},"modified":"2026-01-20T13:19:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T13:19:14","slug":"egypt-to-end-phone-import-exemptions-after-local-production-surge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2026\/01\/20\/egypt-to-end-phone-import-exemptions-after-local-production-surge\/","title":{"rendered":"Egypt to end phone import exemptions after local production surge"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good afternoon, friends, and happy hump day.<\/strong> On the docket are the details on the end of the phone import exemption, Trump\u2019s intensifying Greenland push, and a guide to making your meetings shorter, sharper, and less painful.<\/p>\n

\n

THE BIG STORY TODAY-<\/p>\n

? The Madbouly government has ended the customs <\/strong>exemption for mobile phones purchased from abroad by travellers, effective tomorrow, Wednesday<\/strong>, 21 January, according to a joint statement from the Egyptian Customs Authority and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA). This completes the rollout of the mobile phone governance system launched in January 2025, which had temporarily allowed one dutyfree device per passenger while the local manufacturing base scaled up.<\/p>\n

Why now?<\/strong> The move aims to protect a rapidly growing domestic industry that now boasts 15 manufacturers producing 20 mn devices annually, Customs Authority head Ahmed Amwi told EnterpriseAM.<\/p>\n

Why it matters: <\/strong>This marks a significant pivot toward \u201cindustrial protectionism\u201d aimed at making domestic brands the default choice for Egyptian consumers. By restricting the flow of individual imports \u2014 often resold through informal channels \u2014 the state is funneling demand toward official local agents and domestic plants.<\/p>\n

**Look for the full breakdown in tomorrow morning\u2019s issue of EnterpriseAM.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-<\/p>\n

? The <\/strong>international press remains dominated by US President Donald Trump <\/strong>and his ongoing standoff with the EU.<\/strong> Ahead of his expected appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump says there\u2019s \u201cno going back\u201d on Greenland, claiming the Arctic island is \u201cimperative for National and World Security.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trump is also pressing ahead with his Board of Peace plans, extending invitations to <\/strong>leaders from Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia<\/strong>, among others, with a signing ceremony set for Davos. French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly declined his seat on the Board of Peace for Gaza, prompting Trump to threaten a 200% tariff on French wines and champagne.<\/p>\n

^^Read more on: Reuters<\/a> and CNBC here<\/a> and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

India plans to double bilateral trade with the UAE to USD 200 bn by 2032 after signing <\/strong>a USD 3 bn deal on Monday<\/strong> for the purchase of liquified natural gas. The 10-year agreement mandates that the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company supply LNG starting 2028 to India\u2019s government-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, making India the UAE\u2019s largest LNG customer, accounting for 20% of sales by 2029.<\/p>\n

^^Read more on: CNBC<\/a> and Reuters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

Get Enterprise<\/b> daily <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The roundup of news and trends that move your markets and shape corporate agendas delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n

Subscribe here<\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

** CATCH UP QUICK<\/strong> on the top stories from today\u2019s EnterpriseAM:<\/strong><\/p>\n