Ashraf AboArafe reports
Cairo – June 2, 2025
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Egypt’s General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) have signed a $11 million cooperation agreement to launch a groundbreaking project aimed at modernizing Egypt’s trade infrastructure and streamlining import procedures.
The agreement, officially titled the “Establishment of the Digital Platform for Risk-Based Inspection and Tracking to Facilitate Trade in Egypt,” marks a major step forward in the country’s digital transformation and trade facilitation strategy.
The signing ceremony took place in Cairo, attended by KOICA’s Deputy Country Director Mr. Lee Myungshyn, GOEIC Chairman Engineer Essam El-Naggar, and key Egyptian officials including Dr. Mai Hassab El Nabbi Assal, Assistant Minister for Investment and Foreign Trade, and Dr. Eman Fakhry, Senior Manager at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.
Transforming Trade Through Technology
Spanning from 2025 to 2029, the project aims to overhaul cargo inspection systems by deploying a digital platform that integrates risk-based inspection mechanisms, a laboratory information management system, and a market surveillance system. The objective is to enhance customs clearance speed, ensure higher compliance with international standards, and reduce logistical and administrative burdens on importers and exporters.
“We believe this project will significantly enhance Egypt’s trade facilitation capabilities, fostering economic growth and sustainability,” said Mr. Lee, KOICA Egypt Office Deputy Director. “Our collaboration with GOEIC is a crucial step toward building a more efficient and competitive trade environment.”
Supporting Egypt’s Digital and Economic Vision
Egyptian officials emphasized the strategic importance of the project in aligning with the country’s broader digitalization and economic governance goals.
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, noted that the initiative supports Egypt’s digital transformation agenda while fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.
Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Engineer Hassan Al-Khatib, said the project fits within the national vision to modernize and govern port operations, reduce clearance times, and improve conformity assessment processes—bringing Egypt in line with World Trade Organization (WTO) standards on trade facilitation and risk management.
GOEIC Chairman Engineer Essam El-Naggar praised KOICA’s continued support, emphasizing that the project would help establish a comprehensive monitoring system for imported goods—particularly industrial products—similar to models applied in developed economies.
About KOICA
KOICA, a government agency under South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supports grant-based development cooperation worldwide. Since the opening of its Cairo office in 1998, KOICA has focused on capacity building, youth training, digitalization of government services, and programs to combat gender-based violence and empower women in Egypt.
