Cairo chamber denies issuing official statement on tariffs increase

Cairo Chamber of Commerce denied on Monday issuing any official statement on the new exports conditions that were earlier introduced by the Industry and Foreign Trade Ministry.

The decision of the ministry to increase customs duties on some commodities is still under study, the chamber said in a statement.

After being thoroughly examined, the new tariffs will be announced and sent to bodies concerned for application, it added.

The ministry has decided to increase customs duties on household appliances, electronic devices, clothing, shoes, crystal and plastics from 30 to 40 percent in a bid to protect national industry.

The chamber said any earlier statements issued in this regard, even if they were made by members of the chamber, do not represent the opinion of the chamber as long as no official statement is issued.

It urged traders and importers to be accurate and not to issue statements that might cause any confusion on streets.