Egypt to cut EU car tariffs to 0% early 2019: official

Egypt will reduce tariffs on cars made in the European Union by zero percent as of next January 1, said head of the EU Delegation to Cairo, Ivan Surkos, on Thursday.

“Egypt will reduce the tariffs on motor vehicles to zero as of 1 January 2019 according to the schedule agreed bilaterally in the EU-Egypt Association Agreement.” Surkos wrote on Twitter.

On June 25, 2001, Egypt and the EU signed an agreement for the establishment of a free trade area between the two parties, within a maximum period of 12 years.

Surkos further said the official announcement made during the European-Egyptian Partnership Committee meeting held in Cairo.

The meeting reportedly assessed the progress made since the EU-Egypt Association Council meeting in 2017. It also discussed human rights, and Egypt’s aspiration towards a modern democratic state.