Egypt's Ministry of Finance is enhancing support for the tourism industry through specialized joint committees focused on tax and customs issues. Officials highlighted recent reforms and facilitation measures aimed at resolving challenges and boosting the sector's contribution to national income.
Rasha Abdel Aal, head of the Egyptian Tax Authority, spoke at the Tourism Salon seminar organized by the Tourism Committee of the German Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce, in cooperation with the Association for the Preservation of Cultural Tourism. She described the tourism sector as a vital contributor to national income, noting that the Ministry of Finance and the Authority provide targeted support to address its challenges.
Abdel Aal explained that several specialized committees have been formed, including a high-level one uniting the Ministry of Finance and the Egyptian Tourism Federation, as well as a subcommittee chaired by the head of the Tax Authority. These committees have resolved numerous disputes and restructured outstanding dues for financially distressed companies through flexible mechanisms that balance public revenues with business continuity.
Services provided within the exhibition halls of the Grand Egyptian Museum have been classified as exempt museum services from value-added tax, reflecting the ministry's recognition of tourism's role in boosting national income and sustainable development goals.
Since Ahmed Kouchouk's tenure as Finance Minister began, addressing pressing tax challenges has been a priority, leading to the launch of the first package of tax facilitation measures in February. This included allowing the submission or amendment of tax returns for 2020-2024 without penalties. Abdel Aal stated: “Since 2018, we have embarked on a successful journey—acknowledged by the business community, investors and international institutions—towards digital transformation.”
She highlighted improvements in relations between the Authority and taxpayers over the past year and a half, along with the issuance of a comprehensive guidance manual clarifying the tax treatment of exported services under the Value-Added Tax Law.
For his part, Ahmed Amwi, head of the Egyptian Customs Authority, called the tourism sector a cornerstone of national income, emphasizing customs exemptions for supplies used by hotels and tourism establishments, including tourist vehicles and buses. Since 2019, the Authority has implemented reforms to simplify and digitize procedures, reducing burdens on investors and speeding up imports and exports, positively impacting tourism facility supplies. He stressed the value of dialogue-based meetings in identifying challenges and developing unified procedures that support the sector while meeting state needs.