Business Customs
Egyptian and foreign business community members who have broad experience in the market give the following suggestions:
- Have Patience: Unfamiliar paperwork processes
and bureaucratic procedures make business conduct somewhat slow
in Egypt. Don't expect to breeze in for a week and leave
with a contract. It may take a year or more, but in the
end, it is usually profitable.
- Get Acquainted with Local Culture: Egyptians are
a proud people who trace their civilization back 5,000
years. Take time to learn the culture and develop an
appreciation for the Islamic faith. All private business
leaders and most high-level government officials have a good
command of English. Learn as much Arabic as possible - it
pleases Egyptians if you know key phrases in Arabic ... Good
Morning (Sabah El Kheir), Good Evening (Messaa El Kheir),
etc.
- Be Personable: When you visit a
businessperson, don't just walk in, shake hands, and get down to
business. If you have previously met with the person, chat
about common friends; ask after their family, children,
etc.
- Do Your Homework: The Egyptian market is a
complex and highly competitive one. At the same time, it is
booming in some fields, such as real estate. You have to
study the market very well before starting a
business. A good Egyptian agent will help you a great
deal in directing you to success. Find yourself a good
local representative with the help of the U.S. Commercial Service
at the American Embassy or a reliable business group.
- Remain Flexible: The Egyptian market, like
anywhere in the Middle East, is a changing one. It may not
be advisable for the terms of a contract to remain the same
during its length. Changing conditions in the market may
suggest exploring different markets or changing from partnership
to technology transfer or royalty provisions.
- Send Your Best: Your top experienced
executive with knowledge of the area will do a better job with
the Egyptian business community. Your young, enthusiastic
representative may not be as effective with the local partner,
particularly in a culture that respects age and experience.
- Business Rules: When doing business in Egypt,
be prepared to play it in the Egyptian tradition, or you may
waste your time. A few foreign firms come to Egypt and give
up after a short stay; but most foreign companies, once
established with a base here, find the Egyptian market a
worthwhile and profitable place to do business.
Travel Advisory
Current travel warnings and advisories can be found on the U.S. State Department’s site: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1108.html. Travelers should check this link for any updates to the security situation before leaving the U.S.
Business travelers to Egypt seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy Cairo officials should contact the Commercial Service in advance at +20 (2) 2797-2340, fax at +20 (2) 2795-8368, or e-mail at: cairo.office.box@ mail.doc.gov
U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlets, A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa, to promote a trouble-free journey.
Egypt suffered a series of deadly terrorist attacks in or near tourist sites. Occasionally, there are some public demonstrations in areas such as Tahrir Square. In general Egypt is considered a safe and well secured country.
Visa Requirements
A passport and visa are required for all non-Egyptian visitors
traveling to Egypt.
For specific requirements, consult the Egyptian Embassy in the
United States, 3521 International Court, NW, Washington, D.C.
20008, http://www.egyptembassy.net/, (202/895-5400) or
nearest Consulate General: CA (415/346-9700), IL (312/828-9162),
NY (212/759-7120), or TX (713/961-4915). American citizens
holders of blue passports can obtain a visa at the airport upon
arrival for 15 US Dollars. Having exact change will
expedite the process.
U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that the U.S. visa process can be long, often with security checks that are handled via an interagency process in Washington. Travel should be planned several months in advance, and a visa application should be the very first step before plane reservations are made. To prepare for their interview, visa applicants should go to the following links:
Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy: http://cairo.usembassy.gov/consular/index.htm
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
United States Visas.gov: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security options are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links.
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
United States Visas.gov: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
Telecommunications
The international dialing code for Egypt is +20. Calling
landlines may require a city code such as (2) for Cairo and (3)
for Alexandria. Mobile phones generally begin with 010,
012, 011, or 016. Should you dial a landline from a mobile
phone, you need to dial 0 plus the city code.
The Government of Egypt offers free dial up, and using these 0777
numbers accesses Internet through ISPs, and billing is the same
as making a local phone call. Wireless Internet can be
found in many of the 5 star hotels and some cafes.
Transportation
Air and Sea: Egypt is an important air terminus for the
Middle East, and Cairo is served by many major airlines.
Currently, Egypt Air and Delta are the only airline serving Egypt
non-stop from/to the U.S., with United involved under a
code-sharing agreement with Lufthansa, Northwest with KLM, and
Delta with Air France. Other major international airlines
represented in Cairo include: Air France, Alitalia, British
Airways, Japan Airlines, and Swissair. Shipping lines
serving Port Said and Alexandria (the largest port on the
Mediterranean) are Adriatica, Farrel, Lykes, Ogden, Prudential,
and American President Lines. Egypt has its own merchant
fleet.
Local: Using Cairo's black and white taxis effectively
require some basic Arabic phrases and practice. If you’re
going to an area you do not know well, ask about local landmarks
– such as hotels or cross streets – to help you and the driver
find the location. Negotiating the fare is best done before
the trip. Although some taxis have meters, the official
rate is so low, the obligation to pay something realistic is
clear. Other variables are your familiarity with the city,
the driver's demeanor, and the taxi's physical attributes.
Its age and size count. While newer, larger taxis command
higher fares, the cost is very reasonable, much less than in the
U.S. In 2006 a new fleet of yellow taxis began
operations. These taxis – bright yellow in color – can be
found waiting at selected locations around Cairo, and may also be
called for pick-up. These taxis charge based upon the
meter.
The Cairo Metro is a light rail system, partly underground.
One line is now running from al-Marg in the north through the
center of the city to Maadi and on to Helwan. Another line
is now running from Shoubra El Kheima, north of Cairo, to Ramses
Station in the city center. A new line now runs from Tahrir
Square passing by the Cairo Opera House and ending at Cairo
University in Giza.
Regional: the Western Desert Highway, a high-speed toll road, and
the busier Delta Road connect Alexandria and Cairo. Buses
take 3½ hours between the cities, including a rest stop. A
non-stop Turbino train takes just over 2 hours.
Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: The roads in Egypt can
be hazardous, particularly at night outside major cities.
Cars and trucks frequently travel at night without headlights and
at a high rate of speed. There are few, if any, areas for a
vehicle with mechanical problems to pull off the paved surface
and no system for warning other motorists. Wild animals can
regularly be found on the roads at night. Traffic
regulations are routinely ignored. Roads in Cairo are
congested and traffic is badly regulated. With such hazards, it
is not surprising that Egypt is one of the world's leaders in
fatal auto accidents. It also strongly suggests that, if
available, seatbelts be worn at all times. As an
alternative, the Cairo Metro (subway) system is good, but buses
and commuter micro-buses are usually extremely crowded and poorly
maintained. For those who prefer to go on foot, sidewalks
and pedestrian crossings are non-existent in many areas and
drivers do not yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. It
should also be borne in mind that emergency and intensive care
facilities are limited outside Cairo.
For additional general information about road safety, including
links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State,
Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html.
For specific information concerning Egypt's driving permits,
vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please
contact the Egyptian National Tourist Organization offices in New
York at Egypt Tourist Authority, 630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1706,
New York, NY 10111; telephone (212) 332-2570 or toll-free, (877)
773-4978; internet website: http://www.egypttourism.org; e-mail address:
info@ . egypttourism.org
Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Egypt's civil
aviation authority as Category 1 - in compliance with
international aviation safety standards for oversight of Egypt's
air carrier operations. For further information, travelers
may contact the Department of Transportation within the United
States at telephone 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's internet
website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.
Language
Arabic is the spoken language of Egypt. Colloquial Cairene
Arabic is expressive and rich in words of Coptic, European, and
Turkish origins. The written language differs from the
spoken. Modern standard Arabic, based on the language of
the Koran, is heard on radio, TV, and in formal speeches.
About 85% of Egyptians are Muslim, and Islam is the state
religion. Most others are Christian, Copts, Greek Orthodox,
Roman Catholic, or Anglican Protestants. Indigenous
minorities include about twelve million Copts, Nubians, Bedouin,
and a small Jewish community. Coptic has remained the
liturgical language of the Coptic Church.
English, and to a lesser extent French, is widely spoken amongst the business community and at hotel and tourist destinations.
Health
There are many Western-trained medical professionals in Egypt. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo can provide a list of local hospitals and English-speaking physicians. Medical facilities are adequate for non-emergency matters, particularly in tourist areas. Emergency and intensive care facilities are limited. Facilities outside Cairo, Alexandria, and Sharm El Sheikh fall short of U.S. standards. Most Nile cruise boats do not have a ship's doctor, but some employ a medical practitioner of uncertain qualification. Hospital facilities in Luxor and Aswan are inadequate, and they are nonexistent at most other ports-of-call.
Beaches on the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts are generally unpolluted. Persons who swim in the Nile or its canals, walk barefoot in stagnant water, or drink untreated water are at risk of exposure to bacterial and other infections and the parasitic disease schistosomiasis (bilharzia).
It is generally safe to eat properly prepared, thoroughly cooked
meat and vegetables in tourist hotels, on Nile cruise boats, and
in tourist restaurants. Eating uncooked vegetables should be
avoided. Tap water is not potable. It is best to drink bottled
water or water that has been boiled and filtered. Well-known
brands of bottled beverages are generally considered to be
safe.
- For recently arrived visitors it is very common to have
traveler diarrhea because of changing the dietary habit with
changing the nature of the food
- After the avian influenza outbreak in Egypt try to avoid any
direct contact with living or dead birds.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as
safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may
be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the
CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about
outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health
Organization's (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health
information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.
Medical Insurance
The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_health.html, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.
List of Hospitals, Medical facilities and Physicians
http://cairo.usembassy.gov/consular/acslist1.htm
Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays
The workweek in Egypt is Sunday through Thursday, and local time
is GMT+2, or 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Typical work hours are Sunday through Thursday 9:00am – 3:30pm.
The following chart lists commercial holidays that will close most Egyptian business and government offices during 2009:
New Year's Day |
American | Thursday |
January 1 |
Coptic Christmas | Egyptian | Wednesday | January 7 |
Martin Luther King Birthday |
American | Sunday |
January 18 |
President's Day | American | Sunday |
February 15 |
Moulid El Nabi* | Egyptian | Monday | March 9 |
Sham El Nessim | Egyptian | Monday | April 20 |
Sinai Liberation Day | Egyptian | Saturday |
April 25 |
Labor Day |
Egyptian |
Friday |
May 1 |
Memorial Day | American | Sunday |
May 24 |
Independence Day | American | Sunday |
July 5 |
National Day | Egyptian | Thursday |
July 23 |
Labor Day | American | Sunday |
Sept 6 |
Eid al-Fitr * | Egyptian | Sun/Mon | Sept 20/ 21 |
Armed Forces Day | Egyptian | Tuesday |
October 6 |
Columbus Day | American | Sunday | October 11 |
Veterans' Day | American | Wednesday |
Nov 11 |
Thanksgiving Day | American | Thursday |
Nov26 |
Eid al-Adha * | Egyptian | Thurs/Fri/Sat |
Nov26-28 |
Islamic New Year * |
Egyptian |
Friday |
Dec 18 |
Christmas Day | American | Thursday |
Dec 24 |
Dates of Islamic holidays are subject to the sighting of the moon and may vary from the above projected dates. The Embassy will consider moving the observation date of local holidays (religious and secular) falling on weekends in the event that the Egyptian Government issues guidance mandating that the private and public sectors change the observance date.
Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings
Customs Regulations: Egyptian customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Egypt of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, business equipment, currency, and ivory.
Personal use items such as jewelry, laptop computers, and electronic equipment are exempt from customs fees. However, Egyptian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Egypt of items such as computer peripherals, including printers and modems, which are subject to customs fees. For tourists, electronic equipment is annotated in their passport, and the person is required to show the same items upon exiting Egypt. For residents, a deposit, refunded upon departure, may be made in lieu of customs fees.
Commercial merchandise and samples require an import/export license issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry in Egypt prior to travel and should be declared upon arrival. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Egypt in Washington, D.C. or one of Egypt's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S.
citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which
sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States
and may not afford the protections available to the individual
under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more
severe than in the United States for similar offenses.
Persons violating Egyptian laws, even unknowingly, may be
expelled, arrested or imprisoned.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in
Egypt are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail
sentences and heavy fines. The death penalty may be imposed
on anyone convicted of smuggling or selling marijuana, hashish,
opium, LSD, or other narcotics. Law enforcement authorities
prosecute and seek fines and imprisonment in cases of possession
of even small quantities of drugs.
Consular Access: U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a
copy of their U.S. passport with them at all times, so that, if
questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S.
citizenship is readily available. In accordance with
Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, to
which Egypt is a party, competent authorities in the host country
must notify a consular post of the arrest of one of its citizens
without delay if requested to do so by the foreign citizen.
Photography Restrictions: There are restrictions on
photographing military personnel and sites, bridges, and canals,
including the Suez Canal. Egyptian authorities may broadly
interpret these restrictions to include other potentially
sensitive structures, including embassies, other public buildings
with international associations, and some religious
edifices. Visitors should refrain from taking photographs
that include uniformed personnel.
Children's Issues: For information on international
adoption of children and international
parental child abduction, please refer to website http://travel.state.gov/family/index.html or
telephone the Overseas Citizens Services call center at
1-888-407-4747. The OCS call center can answer general
inquiries regarding international adoptions and will forward
calls to the appropriate country officer in the Bureau of
Consular Affairs. This number is available from 8:00 a.m.
to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except
U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use
toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may
obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling
1-317-472-2328.
Embassy Location and Registration: U.S. citizens living in
or visiting Egypt are encouraged to register at the Consular
Section of the U.S. Embassy in Egypt and obtain updated
information on travel and security within Egypt. The American
Citizens Services office of the U.S. Embassy is located at 5
Latin America Street, Garden City, Cairo and is open to the
public from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The workweek in
Egypt is Sunday through Thursday. Telephone calls are
accepted from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
The mailing address from the United States is: Consular
Section, Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900; in Egypt, it is 8
Kamal el-Din Salah Street, Garden City, Cairo. The main
Embassy telephone number is +20 (2) 2797-3300. The Consular
Section telephone number is 20-2-2797-2301, the fax number is +20
(2) 2797-2472, and the e-mail address is ConsularCairo@ .
Consular information is available via the Internet at state.govhttp://cairo.usembassy.gov/consular/index.htm.
Once a month, American citizen services are available at the
American Center, 3 Pharana Street, Azarita, Alexandria from 11:00
a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Please check the Embassy web site for a
schedule. http://cairo.usembassy.gov/consular/ACSALEX.htm.
Every 5-10 weeks, American citizen services are available at the
Cairo American College, Room 600, Maadi, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. Please check the Embassy website for dates http://cairo.usembassy.gov/consular/ACSmaadi.htm.
Web Resources
Department of State Travel Sheet on Egypt: http://travel.state.gov/travel/egypt.html
U.S. State Department’s travel warnings/advisories: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1108.html
The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Washington,
DC: http://www.egyptembassy.net/
Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Egypt: http://egypt.usembassy.gov/consular/
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
United States Visas.gov: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
Egypt Tourist Authority: http://www.egypttourism.org