Egypt. The most promising market in the Middle East - North Africa. Evangelos Dairetzis Counselor, Economic & Commercial Affairs ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟ Ο.Ε.Υ.

Transcription

1 Egypt The most promising market in the Middle East - North Africa Evangelos Dairetzis Counselor, Economic & Commercial Affairs 1

2 Egypt: Gateway to Africa and the Middle East 2

3 Strategic position in the Mediterranean Strategic position in the Middle East and Africa The largest market in the Arab world The most stable country in a volatile region Gateway for the Greek products to the region 3

4 Area: sq. km. Population: in. Density: 3 in. / Km² Cairo: GMT +2 Largest cities Cairo: Alexandria: Port Said: Suez: Luxor:

5 The Egyptian economy GDP $ 262 billion Per capita GDP $ GDP Growth 2.1% (2012/13), 3,5% 2013/14 (est.) Inflation 11,4% (Αug. 2014) Unemployment 13,4% (Μarch. 2014) Public debt 83.4% (2012/13) GDP Budget deficit: 13.8% (2012/13) GDP Sharp decline of 5 years CDS of state bonds 5

6 GDP structure Education, health 3,80% Financial 3,27% Social solidarity 3,23% Tourism 3,15% Real Estate 2,59% Mining 17,33% Transportations, storage 4,01% Constructions 4,58% Manufacturing Industries 15,65% General Government 10,42% Wholesale & retail trade 10,96% Agriculture, irrigation, fishing 14,51% 6

7 Egypt imports 2013 value share Item $ 1000 % PETROLEUM OILS PETROLEUM CRUDE YELLOW CORN, NOT FOR SHOWING WHEAT LIQUIFIED BUTANES SEMI-FINISHED IRON PRODUCTS MEDICINES 1,099, ARTICLES OF IRON & STEEL FUEL OIL MOTOR VEHICLES GOLD WOOD SAWN OR CHIPPED IRON WASTE & SCRAP OCTANE GASOLINE BOVINE MEAT, BONELESS

8 Main suppliers share share % 13/12 $ mil. $ mil. China ,8% ,9% 3,4% Germany ,9% ,1% 9,5% USA ,9% ,1% -3,7% Italy ,1% ,5% 0,7% Ukraine ,8% ,9% -20,2% S. Arabia % ,7% 10,7% Turkey ,1% ,1% -25,4% Kuwait ,9% ,1% -3,0% Brazil ,3% ,6% -22,2% India ,35% ,5% -1,5% 8

9 Greek Egyptian Trade mil % 12/13 Exports % Imports ,7% Trade volume ,1% Trade Balance ,1% 9

10 Greek Egyptian Trade

11 GREEK EXPORTS TO EGYPT % SHARE 2013 TOTAL '27' MINERAL FUELS & OILS ,6% '52' COTTON ,7% '25' SALT, SULPHUR, EARTH & STONES ,9% '08' EDIBLE FRUITS & NUTS ,1% '24' TOBACCO & MANUFACTURED SUBSTITUTES ,9% '84' NUCLER REACTORS, BOILERS, MACHINERY ,4% '73' ARTICLES OF IRON & STEEL ,2% '39' PLASTICS & ARTICLES THEREOF % '48' PAPER, PAPERBOARD, ARTICLES OF PAPERPULP ,9% '20' PREPARATIONS OF VEGETABLES, FRUIT, NUTS ,8% '72' IRON AND STEEL ,7% '38' MISCELLANEOUS CHEMICAL PRODUCTS ,5% '87' VEHICLES, PARTS & ACCESSORIES THEREOF ,5% '32' TANNING OR DYEING EXTRACTS, DYES, PIGMENTS ,5% '85' ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT & PARTS ,5% '31' FERTILISERS ,3% '49' PRODUCTS OF THE PRINTING INDUSTRY ,3% '04' DAIRY PRODUCE; BIRDS' EGGS; NATURAL HONEY ,2% '11' PRODUCTS OF THE MILLING INDUSTRY ,2% '23' RESIDUES FROM FOOD INDUSTRIES, ANIMAL FODDER ,2% '15' ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS ,1% '76' ALUMINIUM AND ARTICLES THEREOF ,1% '34' SOAP, WASHING & LUBRICATING PREPARATIONS, WAXES ,1% 11

12 Greek Egyptian Trade, 1 st Semester 2014 mil. Jan-Jun 2014 Jan-Jun 2013 %13/14 Exports ,3% Imports % Trade volume ,2% Trade Balance ,6%

13 Egypt Today Turning points: the revolutions of January 25, 2011 and June 30, 2013 Government and a charismatic elected president with broad popular support Parliamentary election expected by the end of the year Gradual return of the country to normality Security has been restored to the greatest extent Powerful and capable economic team to manage and restart economy Clear signs of recovery of the Egyptian economy 13

14 Government Priorities Restarting the economy, attracting foreign investment Ongoing investment program:15 mega projects of $ 100 billion to boost economy (Canal Suez Corridor, new land for agricultural use, road, railway network) Infrastructure, security, education, housing, health, energy, agriculture, renewable energy resources Continued financial support by Arab States Egypt s stability crucial, not only for the region 14

15 The negative image of Egypt projected by Western media (mainly via Al Jazeera) is not realistic

16 Sectors with high growth rates Energy (renewable) Infrastructure Telecommunications - new technologies Transportation Health Education Agriculture 16

17 Market characteristics Investment required in time and effort to establish oneself in the market Reliable local partner in problem solving Detailed knowledge of legislation procedures prior to any agreement. Use of lawyer recommended Ensure of exporter by letter of credit 17

18 Overregulation, delays at customs Cumbersome commercial justice system Price is the dominant factor, followed by quality Consumption peak period: two months before and during Ramadan Emerging market with considerable yields 18

19 Gateway for re-exporting to countries in the wider region Preferential agreements with Arab, Nile basin countries, African countries (COMESA) Positive image of Greece in Egypt but incomplete. Most known for its food products Greek traditional products are popular, though not successfully enough due to lack of a comprehensive strategy on behalf of the Greek exporters 19

20 Greek products, due to price, are addressed to middle class consumers Satisfactory performance but not as successful as of Italian and Spanish competitors Labeling in Arabic offers clear advantage to the product (successful cypriot example) 20

21 Egyptian legislation one of the most favorable regarding commercial representation Non Egyptian national is not allowed to set up commercial importing company 21

22 Energy 22

23 RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES State target: Cover 20% of energy needs by 2020 Significant solar and wind resources Funding: State budget, international organizations and developmental tools of western countries Prospects for Greek enterprises: using solar energy for solar farms and household, industrial and tourist use

24 Government has adopted new law establishing new feeding tariffs for solar and wind energy (at 0.8 and 1.05 piasters per kw respectively). This might stimulate alternative energy investments 24

25 HEALTH SECTOR Drugs - medical equipment: 10% increase in demand per year The vast majority of medical equipment is imported Upgrading the health system creates business opportunities (hospital supply) Private medical centers 25

26 Franchising 460 companies (65 American) 24% foreign names $ 7 billion investment mainly in the food sector Prospects: food, clothing, foreign languages teaching, furniture, accessories-gifts, hotels, electronics 26

27 Significant opportunities for Greek products also because of : Upgraded political relations with Greece Crisis with Turkey is shrinking its market share Civil War in Syria (affected mainly the fruit market) and Libya (trade through Egypt) Prospects of increased maritime and port cooperation

28 Construction Μακέτα του νέου Διοικητικού Κέντρου 28

29 INFRASTRUCTURE Highways Railway network Airports Inland road network Hospitals, schools Power stations, RES Housing units Tourist complexes Water - drainage Desalination plant 29

30 The Ambitious Suez Canal Development ptoject Ports Industrial zones Tunnels Residential areas Tourist areas Fish farming Logistics centers 30

31 FOODSTUFF Egypt imports basic foodstuff The world's largest importer of wheat Greek products: middle class (15 mil.) Significant perspectives for Greek fresh fruits Meat and poultry products: Helal certification Packaged agricultural products, juices, milk, snacks, pre-prepared meals, pastries, frozen meats, seafood 31

32 TARIFFS Association Agreement 2004: phasing out tariffs within 15 years Tariff information (EU Market Access Database): 32

33 TARIFFS Foodstuff: 0-32% Alcoholic Drinks % - 300% for "tourism purposes" 10% sales tax on commodities 33

34 Corporate tax Corporate tax: 25% Companies in energy sector of 40%-55% Personal income tax up to 25% 34

35 Legal forms of companies Ανώνσμη Εταιρεία (Joint Stock Company) Εταιρεία Περιορισμένης Εσθύνης (Limited Liability Company Ομόρρσθμος Εταιρεία (General Partnership) Υποκατάστημα (Branch) Γραυείο Αντιπροσώπεσσης (Representative or Liaison Office) 35

36 Investment Law 8/1997 Guarantee of capital repatriation, right to hold foreign currency accounts Preferential treatment and incentives (manufacturing, infrastructure) Information about the current status of investments: General Investment Authority (GAFI) 36

37 The most significant trade fairs ΙΝTERBUILD (building materials) SAHARA (agriculture) HACE (hotel equipment, restaurants etc.) AGROFOOD (foodstuff, agroindustry) ΕGYMEDICA( medicines, medical equipment) 37

38 ENTRY TO THE MARKET - Direct sale: dealer - distributor Tenders Participation in exhibitions Trade mission organized by business entities franchising PROMOTION 38

39 TECHNIQUES Egyptians entrepreneurs: cosmopolitan, international experience, very good negotiators Cultural specificities: every price is negotiable, sluggish bureaucracy Advertising in newspapers and magazines, growing role of TV, street posters, junk mail advertisement 39

40 Greek investment Banking, constructions, shipping, energy (exploration and production), food industry, irrigation, clothing, packaging, etc. $ 1,2 billion 50 Medium and large scale companies 40

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44 Sectors of the Egyptian economy and prospects for Greek products and services Energy: Renewable energy Environment water treatment, recycling Transportation Shipping: construction - expansion ports, passenger transport Construction: undertake projects, construction materials Agriculture: agricultural machinery, irrigation equipment, construction equipment and greenhouses, fertilizers, oil formulation, aquaculture, agribusiness Health (hospitals, medical equipment, drugs) Education and training Manufacturing - industrial cooperation Foodstuff Transportation Telecommunications 44

45 New technologies Freight and passenger transport Shipbuilding Financial Sector Security systems for companies, individuals, government Franchising (foods. Wear, foreign languages, furniture, accessories-gifts, 227 Greek companies export products and services in Egypt 45

46 INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM International economic summit scheduled for February of next year. The summit will encourage international companies and organizations to invest in the country and contribute to its development. 46

47 EMBASSY OF GREECE OFFICE FOR ECONOMIC & COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS - COMPANIES Greek Investors Club (Business Club) Egyptian Greek Business Council (EBA - SEV) Active support for Greek investors Assistance (advocacy) towards Authorities Promotion of Greek products and services

48 TRADITIONAL GREEK PRESENCE Patriarchate of Alexandria Greek communities in Cairo and Alexandria Greek schools Associations and Clubs of the Greek community Greek Chambers of Cairo and Alexandria

49 OFFICE FOR ECONOMIC & COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS EMBASSY OF GREECE IN CAIRO ΤEL FAX Website: 49