Egypt industry: Sisi restricts factory inspections, closure

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has issued a new directive concerning factory inspections in the country. Under this mandate, only the committee established by the Ministry of Industry, which operates under the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), is authorised to conduct inspections of industrial facilities.

The committee comprises representatives from several authorities such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Local Development, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Labour, Federation of Egyptian Industries, Food Safety Authority, and Egyptian Drug Authority. No other entities, individuals, or inspectors are permitted to carry out inspections independently.

The president also directed not to close any industrial facility without the consent of the Minister of Industry, who shall refer the matter to the prime minister for approval.