RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  TN/S/O/EGY 
4 January 2005 
 (05-0007) 
Council for Trade in Services 
Special Session Original:   English 
 
 
 
EGYPT 
 
Initial Offer  
  
 The following communication, dated 13 December 2004, from the delegation of Egypt, is 
being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
1. In reaffirmation of its commitment to achievi ng a progressively higher le vel of liberalization 
of trade in services, Egypt hereby submits its  initial offer in the framework of the ongoing 
negotiations on trade in services provided for in Ar ticle XIX of the General Agreement on Trade in 
Services (GATS) and pursuant to Paragraphs 15, 47  and 49 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration. 
2. The offer includes the Schedule of Specific Co mmitments and the List of Article II (MFN) 
Exemptions. Modifications are indicated in this document by strikethrough for deletions and bold for 
new text. 
3. In consistency with Article I.3 of the GATS,  the offer does not include services supplied in 
the exercise of Government Authority. 
4. This offer is conditional on other WTO Member s making substantive and satisfactory offers 
in areas of interest to Egypt in the framewor k of the Doha Work Programme, as well as credits 
granted to liberalizing measures undertaken autonom ously by Egypt. This offer does not prejudge 
Egypt’s final position on the outcome of the ongoing ne gotiations on trade in services and the overall 
negotiations under the Doha Work Programme.  
5. Egypt reserves the right to modify or withdraw, fu lly or partially, its o ffer at any time prior to 
the conclusion of the negotiations. Egypt further reserves the right to make any technical rectifications 
or amendments of any errors, omissions, or inaccur acies for the purpose of further clarification of the 
terms and conditions in this offer. 
  TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 2 
EGYPT  – INITIAL OFFER 
 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
I. HORIZONTAL COMMITMENTS  
 ALL SECTORS 
 INCLUDED IN THIS 
 SCHEDULE   
 
  
 
   
 3) None 3) Acquisition of land : 
 
Authorization is required for the acquisition of 
land and/or real estate property.  Applications 
in this respect are consid ered on the basis of the 
evaluation of the specifi c projects for which the 
acquisition is requested and in accordance with 
the national policy objectives.  
   
Acquisition of land and/or real estate property 
in free zone areas is unbound.   
 4) The entry and temporary stay of natural 
persons  
 
According to the labour code (Law 
No.137/1981) and its executive regulations, the  
number of foreign personnel necessary to the 
supply of services in any entity, regardless of 
number of its branch es, shall not exceed 10 per 
cent of the total number of personnel employed 
therein, unless otherwise specified in a sectoral 
entry of this schedule . 4) None for the  measures affecting the 
categories referred to under market access . 
    TN/S/O/EGY
 Page 3Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
 Unbound except for the following categories : 
 
1.  Business visitors  
 
A natural person who stays in Egypt 
without acquiring remuneration within 
Egypt and without engaging in making direct sales or supplying services to the 
general public, for the purposes of 
participating in busin ess meetings, business 
contacts including negotiations for the sale 
of services and/or ot her similar activities 
including those negotiations to prepare for 
establishing a commercial presence in 
Egypt:  ．
Entry and stay shall be for a period 
of 90 days. 
   
 2.  Intra-Corporate Transferee s 
 
 Access is subject to th e following conditions: 
- the natural person concerned must 
work within a juridical person, 
established in the territory of a WTO 
Member and have been employed by it  
for a period of at least two years 
immediately preceding the date of their 
application for admission 
- the natural person concerned must be 
seeking temporary entry in order to 
render services to (i) the same juridical 
person which is engaged in substantive business operations in Egypt or     TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 4 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
  (ii) Juridical pers on constituted in 
Egypt and engaged in substantive 
business operations in Egypt which is owned by or controlled by or affiliated 
with the aforementioned juridical 
person.   
 - A work permit is required from the 
relevant Egyptian authorities, and the 
number of foreign natural persons 
necessary to the supply of services in 
any entity, regardless of the number of 
its branches shall not exceed 10% of the 
total number of personnel employed therein.   
 - the natural person concerned must 
belong to one of the following categories: 
(a) Senior  Managers:  Persons working in a 
senior position within a juridical person, 
who primarily direct the management of the establishment, receiving general 
supervision or dire ction principally 
from the board of directors or stockholders of the business or their 
equivalent, including: 
     TN/S/O/EGY
 Page 5Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
 - directing the establishment or a 
department or sub-division of the 
establishment; 
- supervising and controlling the work of 
other supervisory, professional or managerial employees; 
- having the authority personally to hire 
and fire or recommend hiring, firing or 
other personnel actions. 
Compliance with an ENT is not required for 
senior managers.   
 (b) Specialists:  Persons working within a 
juridical person who possess uncommon knowledge essential to the 
establishment's service, research 
equipment, techniques or management.  In assessing such knowledge, account 
will be taken to the non-availability of 
such specialized personnel in Egypt, the applicant's employment experience, 
qualifications and suitability for the 
position. 
    TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 6 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
II: SECTOR SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS  
2.C. Telecommunications  
 Services  
 
This schedule does not include telecommunication 
services supplied for 
distribution of radio or television programming for 
direct reception by service 
consumer. 3) (a) Licenses for the provision of all 
telecommunication services in Egypt are 
to be granted by the Telecommunications 
Regulatory Authority.  A transparent and non-discriminatory Economic Needs Test 
shall be the main basis for granting 
licenses until 31/12/2005.
1 
 
 (b) Licenses are to be provided only to 
companies registered in Egypt. 
 
 (c) Telecom Egypt has exclusive rights to 
provide cross-border tr ansmission into or  
out of Egypt using any means of 
technology for an exclusivity period that terminates no later than 31/12/2005. 
  Licenses providing international data 
communication services have to lease international private lines from Telecom 
Egypt throughout the period of 
exclusivity. 
 
 (d) Companies working in the 
telecommunications sector must train local human resources.  The government of 
Egypt undertakes 
additional 
commitments as set out in the attached 
reference paper hereto. 
Egypt is currently in the process of 
presenting a new 
Telecommunications 
Act to the People 's 
Assembly (Egyptian Parliament) 
                                                      
 1 Continuation of ENT  beyond 31/12/2005 shall be subject to cons ultations between Egypt and WTO Members taking into considerati on progress of the CTS discussions on ENT.   TN/S/O/EGY
 Page 7Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
International and domestic 
services using any means of 
technology: 
 2.C.a Voice telephone 
services 
2.C.d Telex services 2.C.e Telegraph services 
2.C.f Facsimile services 
2.C.g Private leased lines 
(International Only)   
1) Unbound until 31/12/2005.  After that date, 
 none
2 
2) None 3) (a) Telecom Egypt has an exclusivity for the 
provision of the services that terminates 
no later than 31/12/2005.  After that date, none. 
 (b) Resale of services is allowed based on 
agreements with Telecom Egypt. 
 (c) Telecom Egypt is currently privatizing 
part of its shares through an initial public offering or sale to a strategic investor. 
  Telecom Egypt may continue the 
privatization up to 49% of its shares in subsequent stages. 
 (d) Public payphones, none. 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal  section. 
  
1) None 
 
2) None 3) None 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section.  
International services using 
any means of technology: 
 
2.C.b&c Data services 
2.C.o Internet services 1) Unbound until 31/12/2005.  After that date, 
 none2. 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal  section. 
 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section.  
                                                      
 2 A license is required.  
 
  TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 8 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
Domestic services using any 
means of technology: 
 
2.C.b&c Data services 2.C.g Private leased lines 
2.C.o Internet services  
1) Unbound until 31/12/2005.  After that date,  
 none
∗ 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
 section 
  
1) None 
 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section  
Other services: 
2.C.o Mobile services 
  (Digital Only) 1) Unbound until 31/12/2005.  After that date 
 none2. 
2) None 
3) Two private GSM900 operators have licenses 
 to provide the services in E gypt with exclusive 
 right until 30/11/2002.    
 After that date,  none. 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
 section. 
 1) None 
 
2) None 
3) None  
 
 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section.  
Other services using any 
means of technology: 
2.C.o Paging services 
2.C.o VSAT 
2.C.h.-n. -Value Added Services 1) Unbound until 31/12/2005.  After that date, 
 none *. 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
 Section  1) None 
 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section.  
                                                      
∗ Unbound due to lack of feasibility 
   TN/S/O/EGY
 Page 9Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
3. CONSTRUCTION AND 
RELATED 
ENGINEERING 
SERVICES 
    
A. Construction work for 
building    
- Constructions work 
for multi-dwelling 
buildings 
CPC (5122) 
- Construction work 
for warehouses and industrial buildings 
CPC (5123) 
- Construction work 
for commercial 
buildings 
CPC (5124) 
- Construction work 
for other buildings 
CPC (5129) 
 1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound* 
3) (a) Access only for projects over 
$50 million or equivalent in 
other currencies where foreign 
partners have to engage a 
domestic partner registered as 
a member of the Egyptian Federation of Contractors 
with a percentage not less than 
51% of the total value of the project given to the Egyptian 
contractor. 
 (b)  unbound for the establishment of 
foreign supplier in Sinai. 
4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal commitments. 
 1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound* 
3) (a) Licenses are to be provided by 
the Egyptian Federation of 
Contractors only to foreign 
companies registered in Egypt 
as a corresponding member. 
 (b) Companies working in the construction 
sector must train local human 
resources. 
 (c) Transfer of technology is a must 
according to the ty pe of the project. 
 
  
4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal commitments.   TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 10 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
B. Construction Work for 
Civil Engineering   
  
  
  
 
- Bridges, elevated 
highways, tunnels and subways CPC (5132)  
- Waterways, harbours, 
dams and other water work CPC (5133) 
- Long distance pipelines, 
communication and power 
lines (cables) CPC (5134)  
- Construction for mining  and manufacturing 
 CPC (5136) 
 1) Unbound
* 
2) Unbound* 
3) - Commercial presence is only allowed for 
joint-venture companies. 
  - Foreign capital equ ity shall not exceed 49 
per cent of the total capital required for 
the project. 
4) None 1) Unbound
* 
2) Unbound* 
3) None 
 
  
 
 
4) None 
  
                                                      
 * Unbound due to lack of technical feasibility  
 
 
 
    TN/S/O/EGY
 Page 11Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
- For  highways (except 
elevated highways), 
streets, roads, railways 
and airfield runways CPC (5131) 
- For construction work 
for sport and recreation CPC (5137) 
 1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound* 
3)  (a) Access only for projects over $50 
million or equivalent in other currencies where foreign partners 
have to engage a domestic partner 
registered as a member of the Egyptian Federation of Contractors 
with a percentage not less than 51% 
of the total value of the project given 
to the Egyptian contractor. 
 (b) Unbound for the establishment of 
foreign supplier in Sinai. 
4) Unbound except as indicated in 
 horizontal commitments. 1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound* 
3) (a) Licenses are to be provided by 
the Egyptian Federation of Contractors only to foreign 
companies registered in Egypt as 
a corresponding member. 
 (b) Companies working in the construction 
sector must train local human resources. 
 (c) Transfer of technology is a must 
according to the ty pe of the project. 
  
4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal commitments. 
   TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 12 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
 
3.C Installation and assembly 
Work  
 
Installation Work :  
- Gas fitting construction 
work CPC (5163)  
 
Electrical Work :  
- Fire alarm construction 
work  CPC (51642 ) 
- Other electrical 
construction work  
CPC (51649) 
 
- Other installation work  
CPC (5169)  
- Lift and escalator 
construction work  
CPC (51691)  
1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound* 
3) - Commercial presence is only allowed for 
joint-venture companies. 
 
 - Foreign capital equ ity shall not exceed 49 
per cent of the total capital required for 
the project. 
4) None   
1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound* 
3) None  
 
  
 
4) None 
  
                                                      
 * Unbound due to lack of technical feasibility  
 
 
 
    TN/S/O/EGY
 Page 13Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
- Electrical wiring and 
fitting work 
CPC (51641) 1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound* 
3) (a) Access only for projects over 
$50 million or equivalent in other currencies where foreign 
partners have to engage a 
domestic partner registered as a member of the Egyptian 
Federation of Contractors 
with a percentage not less than 
51% of the total value of the 
project given to the Egyptian contractor. 1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound* 
3) (a) Licenses are to be provided by 
the Egyptian Federation of Contractors only to foreign 
companies registered in Egypt as 
a corresponding member. 
 (b) Companies working in the construction 
sector must train local human resources. 
 (c) Transfer of technology is a must 
according to the ty pe of the project. 
 
  
  (b) Unbound for the establishment of 
foreign supplier in Sinai. 
4) Unbound except as indicated in  horizontal commitments. 4) Unbound except as indicated in horizontal 
commitments. 
  
3.E Other  
 - Demolition work 
CPC (5112) 
- Scaffolding work 
CPC (51160) 
- Foundation work, incl. 
pile driving CPC (5151) 
- Water well drilling 
CPC (5152) 
 1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound* 3) (a) Access only for projects over 
$50 million or equivalent in 
other currencies where foreign partners have to engage a 
domestic partner registered as 
a member of the Egyptian 
Federation of Contractors 
with a percentage not less than 51% of the total value of the 
project given to the Egyptian 
contractor. 
 1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound* 3) (a) Licenses are to be provided by 
the Egyptian Federation of 
Contractors only to foreign companies registered in Egypt as 
a corresponding member. 
 (b) Companies working in the construction 
sector must train local human resources. 
 (c) Transfer of technology is a must 
according to the ty pe of the project. 
 
    TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 14 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
  (b) Unbound for the establishment of 
foreign supplier in Sinai. 
4) Unbound except as indicated in horizontal 
 commitments. 
  
 
4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal commitments. 
  
Special Trade Construction 
Work   
- Steel bending and erection 
(including welding) 
CPC (5155)  
- Other special trade  
construction work  
CPC (5159) 
- Renting services related to 
equipment for construction 
or demolition of buildings 
or civil engineering works, 
with operator CPC (5180)  
 1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound* 
3) - Commercial presence is only allowed for 
joint-venture companies. 
  - Foreign capital equ ity shall not exceed 49 
per cent of the total capital required for 
the project. 
4) None 1) Unbound
* 
2) Unbound* 
3) None 
 
  
 
 4) None 
  
                                                      
 * Unbound due to lack of technical feasibility  
 
 
    TN/S/O/EGY
 Page 15Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
9. TOURISM AND 
TRAVEL 
    
A.  Hotels and Restaurants  
1. Hotels and Other 
 Commercial 
 Accommodations  
 
(a) Hotels and motels 
(b) Resort hotels and 
 accommodation facilities 
(c) Casino hotels 
 
2. Restaurants, Bars and 
 Canteens  
 
(a) Full service restaurants 
(b) Fast food restaurants and  
 cafeteria 
 1) Unbound* 
2) None 3) A licence will be given according to the 
 requirement of economic needs test (main 
 criteria:  market needs and locating different  categories of hotels). 
- Casino services can be provided only through 
 5 stars hotels (gambling allowed only for 
 foreigners) 
- Limitations on the total number of services  operations depend on the requirement of 
 economic needs test (g eographical location, 
 increase in the number and categories of  tourists) 
- Foreign capital equity should not exceed 49 
 per cent in projects to be established in Sinai 4) None 
 1) Unbound* 
2) None 3) Training of Egyptian employees should be 
performed by the foreign natural persons within 
the terms of the contract 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 4) None 
  
B. Travel Agencies and 
 Tour Operators Services  
    
(a) Tour operators, packagers 
 and wholesalers 
(b) Travel agencies 
 1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) Limitations on the total number of services 
 operations depend on the requirement of  economic needs test 
4) None 
 1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) Training of Egyptian employees should be 
performed by the foreign natural persons within the terms of the contract 
4) None 
  
  TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 16 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
D. Other Tourism Services  
 
1. Tourism Management 
 Services  
  
  
  
 
(a) Tourism property 
 management 
(b) Rental lease tourism  property 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) Bound only for representative offices.   Limitations on the total number of services 
 operations depend on the requirement of 
 economic needs test. 
4) None 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) Training of Egyptian employees should be 
performed by the foreign natural persons within 
the terms of the contract 
 
4) None 
  
 
2. Tourism Transport Services  
(a) Land transport services 
 1. Long distance tour buses 
2. Short Distance tour buses 
 1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound 
 1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound 
  
 
(b) Inland Water Ways  
1. Inland Water Passenger   Transport 
2. Inland Water local tours 
3. Cruise ships  1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) The addition to the inland water passenger  and/or local tours is subject to the physical 
 capacity of the Nile river. 
4) None  1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) None  
 
4) None   
 
3. Tourism Training 
 Institutions  
 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) None 
 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) None 
  
 
4. Tourism Related 
 Conventions  
 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) None 
 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) None 
  
   TN/S/O/EGY
 Page 17Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
5. Institutional Food Service 
 Caterers  (with the 
 exception of Airport 
 Catering Facilities which  are confined only to the 
 national air carriers) 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) None  
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) None  
  
 
7. FINANCIAL SERVICES 
 
 Measures of specific application : 
 
A.  Insurance Services, the main criter ia which the economic needs tests apply are as follows:  
 1.
 Surplus demand to traditional classes of insurance gives new companies an opportunity of working without harmful competition to  the market or financial  positions 
 of existing companies and conseq uently policy holders.  
 2.
 Exhausting of 50 per cent of the capacity of the existing compan ies, which is calculated on the bases of solvency margin, and t here is a surplus demand in excess 
 of the capacity which enables a new company to achieve its purpos es. 
 3.
 Setting up of a new company leads to an increase of total retention in the market;  taking into account the technical considera tions.  
 
4. The new companies shall introduce new insurance covers.  
 
B. Other Financial Services : 
  Commercial presence for conducting the activities of other Financial Services (Capital Market Services excluding trading in se curities) should be incorporated in Egypt 
 to take the form of a joint-stock company or a partnership limited by shares. 
  TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 18 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
A. All Insurance and 
 Insurance-related Services  
    
1. Life, health, personal 
 accident  1) None 
2) None 3) Foreign and joint venture companies are 
 allowed only to carry on business in free 
 zones, provided that their activities shall be  confined to the transactions carried out in 
 convertible currencies. 1) None 
2) None 3) None  
 - No maximum limits required on the foreign 
 shareholding in free zones. 
 
-  Economic needs test shall apply to the inland 
 commercial presence (other than in free 
 zones) according to the criteria as sti pulated in 
 the horizontal section.  
 
 Relaxation of economic needs test shall be in 
 2000 for life, health & personal accident 
 business.  
   
 - Foreign insurance companies' branches and 
 agencies are not allowed. 
 
- Foreign capital eq uity shall not exceed  49 per 
 cent of the total capital required for the 
 company (oth er than in free zones) up to 
 31  December  1999.  
     TN/S/O/EGY
 Page 19Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
 - As of 1 January 2000 , foreign capital equity 
 shall be up to 51 per cent of the total capital 
 required for the compan y (other than in free 
 zones). 
 
- Legal cessions of the total transactions must 
 be ceded to Egyptian Reinsurance Co.  according to the percentages to be decided by 
 the supervisory authority and 5 per cent of the 
 Company's treaties to African Reinsurance 
 Co.  
  
 4) Qualified non-Egyptian directors are allowed 
for a five-year term and may be renewed.  Their appointment and renewal is subject to 
the approval of the Supervisory Authority. 
 4) A non-Egyptian director must have at least two 
Egyptian understudies. 
  
2. Non-life insurance  1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) Foreign and joint venture companies are 
allowed only to carry on business in free 
zones, provided that their activities shall be 
confined to the transactions carried out in convertible currencies. 
- No maximum limits required on the foreign 
shareholding in free zones. 
 1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) None  
 - Economic needs test shall apply to the inland 
commercial presence (other than in free 
zones) according to the criteria as stipulated 
in the horizontal section.  
 
- Relaxation o f economic needs test shall be in 
 2002 for non -life business.   Foreign capital 
 equity shall not exceed 49 per cent of the total 
 capital required for the company (other than in 
 free zones) up to 31 December 2002.     TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 20 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
 
 - As of 1 January 2003, Foreign capital equity 
 shall be up to 51 per cent of the total capital 
 required for the compan y (other than in free 
 zones).  
 
- Foreign insurance companies' branches and 
 agencies are not allowed. 
 
- Legal cessions of the total transactions must 
 be ceded to Egyptian Reinsurance Co. 
 according to the percentages to be decided by 
 the supervisory authority and 5 per cent of the  Company's treaties to African Reinsurance 
 Co.  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 4) Qualified non-Egyptian directors are allowed 
 for a five year term and may be renewed.   Their appointment and renewal is subject to 
 the approval of the Supervisory Authority. 
 4) A non-Egyptian director must have at least two 
Egyptian understudies.  
3. Reinsurance and 
 retrocession  
 1) None 
2) None 
3) Foreign and joint venture companies are  allowed only to carry on business in free 
 zones and inland, and in the case of carrying 
 on their activities in free zones, their  transactions shall be confined to be carried out 
 in convertible  currencies. 
- No maximum limits required on the foreign  shareholding in free zones or inland. 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None  
 
  
    TN/S/O/EGY
 Page 21Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
 - Foreign reinsurance companies' branches and 
 agencies are not allowed. 
 
- Insurance and reinsurance companies are not  allowed to deal with reinsurers not listed in 
 the supervisory authority list. 
 
- Five per cent of the company's treaties must 
 be ceded to African Reinsurance Co. 
4) None 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
4) None 
  
4. Auxiliary services other 
 than intermediation:  
  
  
  
 
(a) Actuarial services  1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 3) Foreign service supplier must be authorized to 
 perform this profe ssion from a competent 
 authority in his home country and registered at  the Egyptian register for that purpose. 
4) None 
 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 3) None 
 
  
4) None  
 
(b) Consultancy (risk 
 assessment and risk 
 management only)  1) None 
2) None 
3) Foreign service supplier must be authorized to  perform this profe ssion from a competent 
 authority in his home country and registered at 
 the Egyptian register for that purpose. 4) None 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None  
 
 4) None 
  
  TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 22 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
(c) Loss assessment 
 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 
3) Foreign service supplier must be authorized to 
 perform this profe ssion from a competent 
 authority in his home country and registered at 
 the Egyptian register for that purpose. 
4) None  1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 
3) None 
  
 
4) None   
 
(d) Liaison offices 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) Commercial presence is bound only for public 
 relations and market research. 
4) None  1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
 
4) None   
 
(e) Intermediation 
 1) Bound only for life insurance and reinsurance 
 services. 2) Bound only for life insurance and reinsurance 
 services. 
3) Unbound 4) Unbound 1) None 
2) None  
 
3) Unbound 4) Unbound  
 
B. Banking Services  
1. Joint-Venture  Banks(JVBs): 
(a) Acceptance of deposits and 
 other forms of repayable  funds 
(b) All types of lending, 
 including consumer credit,  and financing of 
 commercial transactions 
(c) All payment and money 
 transmission services, 
 including credit, charge and  debit cards, traveller's 
 cheques and bankers draft 
  
1) Unbound 2) Unbound 
3) The share of non-Egyptians in the capital of 
 JVBs and private banks may exceed  49 per  cent of the issued capital of any bank, without 
 ceiling.  On a non-discriminatory basis, 
 ownership of more than 10 per cent of the  issued capital of any bank, except through 
 inheritance, requires the approval of the CBE 
 Board of Directors.  
1) Unbound 2) Unbound 
3) Foreign service suppliers, in the context of 
JVBs are required to of fer on-the-job training 
for national employees.    TN/S/O/EGY
 Page 23Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
(d) Guarantees and 
 Commitments 
(e) Trading for own account or 
 for account of customers  in: 
 - Money market 
  instruments (cheques,   bills and certificates of 
  deposits); 
 - foreign exchange; 
 - securities. 
(f) Participation in share issues  and the provision of 
 services related to such 
 issues through subsidiaries (g) Money broking 
(h) Safekeeping of securities 
(i) Credit reference services  (j) Safe custody services 
 4) The General Manager should have banking 
 experience in Egypt of no less than ten years 
 for banks established in Egypt other than 
 branches of foreign banks. 4) None  
2. Foreign Bank Branches  
  Same activities specified 
 under 1. above 
 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 3) Economic needs test shall be applied. 
 
  
 
  
 
4) None 
 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 3) Branches of foreign banks existing on 5 June 
1992 (the date of enforcement of Law No. 37 of 
1992) may be licensed to deal in local currency 
in addition to foreign currency subject to the 
satisfaction of minimum capital requirement, 
adequacy of provisions and other prudential measures (Art. 13 of the executive regulations 
of the said Law). 
4) None 
  
  TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 24 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
3. Representative Offices of 
 Foreign Banks (R.O.'s)  
 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 
3) Foreign banks which desire to set up 
 representative offices should not have  branches in Egypt. 
 
- Activities of R.O.'s should be confined to  conducting studies on potential investments, 
 acting as liaison with their head offices and 
 contributing to solving problems and 
 difficulties that may confront their head 
 offices' correspondents in Egypt. 4) None 
 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 
3) Unbound 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 4) None 
  
 
C. Other Financial Services     
1. Securities     
(a) Underwriting 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) None 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) None 
  
 
(b) Brokerage 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) None 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) None   
 
(c) Trading in securities  (Buy and Sell by individual  or institution on the stock 
 exchange) 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) None 
 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) None 
  
 
(d) Clearing and settlement  1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) None 
 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) None 
  
   TN/S/O/EGY
 Page 25Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
(e) Marketing and market 
 promotion 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) None  1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) None   
 
(f) Portfolio and investment 
 management 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) None 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) None 
  
 
(g) Establishment of collective  investment funds 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) None 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) None 
  
 
(h) Venture capital 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) None  1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) None   
 
2. Financial Leasing  
 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) None 
 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) None 
  
  TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 26 
Modes of supply:  (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
11. TRANSPORT SERVICES 
    
A. International Maritime 
 Transport     
(a) Passenger Transportation  
 
(b) Freight Transportation  
 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 
3) Commercial Presence is only allowed for 
 joint-venture companies.  Foreign capital  equity should not exceed 49 per cent.  All 
 ships owned by the established companies 
 should be registered at the Egyptian ship 
 register as a pre-requisite to fly the Egyptian 
 flag 4) 95 per cent of the crew should be national and 
 their wages and salaries should not be less 
 than 90 per cent of the total paid up wages and  salaries  
 The Chairman and majo rity of the Board of 
 Directors must be Nationals 
 1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) None 
  
 
 
 
 4) None 
  
 
(f) Supporting services for  Maritime Transport:  Port  dredging 
 1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound 3) Commercial Presence is only allowed for 
 joint-venture companies.  Foreign capital 
 equity should not exceed 75 per cent 4) At least 25 per cent of  both the personnel and 
 members of the Board of Directors must be 
 Nationals  1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound 3) None 
 
 4) None 
 
  
 
 TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 27 
 
 
Reference Paper  
 
Scope  
 
 The following are definitions and principles on the regulatory framework for the basic 
telecommunications services. 
 
Definitions  
 
Users  mean service consumers and service suppliers. 
 
Essential facilities  mean facilities of a public telecommunication transport network or service that 
  (a) are exclusively or predominantly provided by a single or limited number of suppliers; 
and 
 (b) cannot feasibly be economically or tec hnically substituted in order to provide a 
service. 
 A major supplier
 is a supplier which has the ability to mate rially affect the terms of participation 
(having regard to price and supply) in the releva nt market for basic telecommunications services as a 
result of: 
 
 (a) control over essential facilities; or  (b) use of its position in the market  
1. Competitive safeguards 
 
1.1 Prevention of anti-competitive practices in telecommunications
 
  Appropriate measures shall be maintained for the purpose of preventing suppliers who, alone 
or together, are a major supplier from engaging  in or continuing anti-competitive practices. 
 
1.2 Safeguards
 
  The anti-competitive practices referred to above shall include in particular:   (a) engaging in anti-competitive cross-subsidization; 
 
 (b) using information obtained from competitors with anti-competitive results; and   (c) not making available to other services s uppliers on a timely basis technical information 
about essential facilities and commercially re levant information wh ich are necessary for 
them to provide services. 
 2. Interconnection 
 
2.1 This section applies to linking with supplie rs providing public telecommunications transport 
networks or services in order to allow the users of one supplier to communicat e with users of another 
supplier and to access services provided by another supplier, where specific comm itments are 
undertaken.    
 TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 28  
 
 2.2 Interconnection to be ensured
 
  Interconnection with a major supplier will be en sured at any technically feasible point in the 
network. Such interc onnection is provided 
 
 (a)  under non-discriminatory terms, cond itions (including technical standards and 
specifications) and rates and of a quality no less favourable than that provided for its 
own like services or for like services of non-affiliated service suppliers or for its 
subsidiaries or other affiliates; 
 
 (b)  in a timely fashion, on terms, conditions (including technical standards and 
specifications) and cost-oriented rates that ar e transparent, reasonable, having regard to 
economic feasibility, and suffi ciently unbundled so that the supplier need not pay for 
network components or facilities  that it does not require for the service to be provided; 
and 
  (c)  upon request, at points in addition to th e network termination points offered to the 
majority of users, subject to charges that reflect the cost of construction of necessary 
additional facilities. 
 
2.3 Public availability of the procedures for interconnection negotiations
 
  The procedures applicable fo r interconnection to a major s upplier will be made publicly 
available.  
2.4  Transparency of interconnection arrangements
 
  It is ensured that any supplier with a dominant  position will make publicly available either its 
interconnection agreements or a reference interconnection offer. 
 2.5  Interconnection: dispute settlement
 
 
 A service supplier requesting in terconnection with a major supplie r will have recourse, either: 
  (a) at any time or  
 (b) after a reasonable period of time  which has been made publicly known 
 to an independent domestic body, which may be a regu latory body as referred to  in paragraph 5 below, 
to resolve disputes regarding a ppropriate terms, conditions and ra tes for interconnection within a 
reasonable period of time, to the extent that  these have not been established previously. 
 
3. Universal service 
 
 Any Member has the right to define the kind of universal service obligation it wishes to 
maintain. Such obligations will not be regarded  as anti-competitive per se, provided they are 
administered in a transparent, non-discriminatory and comp etitively neutral manner and are not more 
burdensome than necessary for the kind of universal service defined by the Member. 
 TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 29 
 
 
4. Public availability of licensing criteria 
 
 Where a licence is required, the following will be made publicly available:   (a) all the licensing criteria and the period of  time normally require d to reach a decision 
concerning an application for a licence and 
  (b) the terms and conditions of individual licences.  The reasons for the denial of a licence will be made known to the applicant upon request. 
 5. Independent regulators  
 
 The regulatory body is separate from, a nd not accountable to, any supplier of basic 
telecommunications services. The decisions of and the procedures used by regul ators shall be impartial 
with respect to all market participants. 
 
6. Allocation and use of scarce resources 
 
 Any procedures for the allocation and use of sc arce resources, includi ng frequencies, numbers 
and rights of way, will be carried out in an obj ective, timely, transparent and non-discriminatory 
manner. The current state of allocated frequency ba nds will be made publicly available, but detailed 
identification of frequencies allocated for specific government us es is not required.  
 
_______________ 
  TN/S/O/EGY 
Page 30 
EGYPT – FINAL LIST OF ARTICLE II (MFN) EXEMPTIONS 
 
Sector or Subsector Description of measure 
indicating its inconsistency 
with Article II Countries to which the 
measure applies Intended duration Conditions creating the need for 
the exemption 
ALL SECTORS 
 Full national treatment is 
extended to foreign personnel of 
the countries indicated in 
column 3  Greece 
Iraq 
Jordan 
Libya Qatar 
Sudan 
United Arab Emirates 
Yemen and possibly: 
other countries  This measure shall be 
maintained as long as the 
agreements referred to in 
column 2 remain in force or are extended 
 To ensure opening of the markets in 
the countries referred to in column 3, 
as the major trading partners do not 
accord the Egyptian nationals satisfactory opportunities. 
 
ROAD TRANSPORT (PASSENGER AND 
FREIGHT)  The supply of road transport 
services by foreign suppliers 
into and across the territory of Egypt is limited to vehicles 
registered in the countries 
indicated in column 3, with which Egypt is a party in 
bilateral or multilateral 
agreements  The Arab-League countries, and 
possibly:  other countries 
 This measure shall be 
maintained as long as the 
agreements referred to in column 2 remain in force 
or are extended 
 To promote intra-Arab trade and 
facilitate movement of Arab citizens 
into Egypt as stipulated in the Arab-League Agreement 
  TN/S/O/EGY
Page 31Sector or Subsector Description of measure 
indicating its inconsistency 
with Article II Countries to which the 
measure applies Intended duration Conditions creating the need for 
the exemption 
AUDIOVISUAL SERVICES (Co-production 
Agreements) 
 Full national treatment is 
extended to audiovisual works (Co-production Agreements) 
originating only in countries 
indicated in column 3, with which Egypt is a party to 
bilateral or multilateral 
agreements 
 Algeria 
Cyprus Iraq 
Jordan 
Kuwait Lebanon 
Libya 
Mauritania 
Morocco 
Oman Sudan 
Syria 
Tunisia United Arab Emirates 
and possibly:   
other countries  This measure shall be 
maintained as long as the agreements referred to in 
column 2 remain in force 
or are extended  To maintain the Arab culture and 
identity  
 
 
__________