Social media has been abuzz with rumors suggesting that Egypt’s authorities plan to halt the use of imported mobile phones within the country.
The claims have triggered widespread concern among mobile phone retailers, prompting swift action from the Cairo Chamber of Commerce’s Mobile Division, which sought clarity from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority by requesting an urgent meeting.
Appearing on MBC Egypt’s program Al-Hekaya, Walid Ramadan, vice-president of the Mobile Division, highlighted the division’s efforts to verify the validity of the purported decision.
“We requested an official statement to confirm whether such a decision exists or not,” Ramadan stated.
He also raised questions about the imposition of customs duties and fees on mobile phones brought into the country by Egyptians for personal use or as gifts.
Ramadan emphasized that while there is rigorous control over ports, the division firmly opposes imposing additional fees on imported phones.
Ramadan further expressed the division’s support for market regulation but stressed that any new policy must be introduced with a transparent mechanism and sufficient grace period to ensure effective implementation.
The mobile phone market in Egypt has faced notable challenges, with sector sales declining from $1.7 billion to approximately $1.65 billion in recent times.
This downturn reflects the economic pressures and market constraints impacting traders and consumers alike.
