VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEG #0087 0210900
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 210900Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7922
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 0370

UNCLAS CAIRO 000087 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/RA, EB 
USAID FOR ANE/MEA MCCLOUD AND DUNN 
USTR FOR MOWREY 
COMMERCE FOR 4520/ITA/ANESA 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: ECON ETRD EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT:  PARLIAMENT APPROVES HARMONIZATION OF 
CUSTOMS WITH WCO STANDARDS 
 
 
¶1.  Egypt's upper parliamentary chamber, the Shura Council, 
has ratified the government's decision to join the 
"International Convention on the Simplification and 
Harmonization of Customs Procedures" (Kyoto Convention) to 
reduce barriers to Egypt's international trade.  Under the 
convention, Egypt is obligated to harmonize its customs 
procedures in accordance with World Customs Organization 
(WCO) standards. Egypt brings the total WCO membership to 
56 countries; trade between member countries covers 80% of 
international trade.  Egypt's membership takes effect in 
April 2008. 
 
¶2.  Egypt's accession was formally approved in October 2007 
by presidential decree, and ratified by parliament in 
December 2007.  WCO adopted the "revised Kyoto Convention" 
in 1999. The convention contains modern customs documents 
and procedures to be used in international trade and 
transport.