Egypt released $8 bln in imported goods since March: Finance minister

In a statement released on Friday, the minister said there is "permanent coordination" between customs clearance specialists and representatives of the concerned authorities, including the General Organization For Export and Import Control (GOEIC), the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA), the Central Administration of Plant Quarantine (CAPQ), and other inspection bodies.

Maait noted that such coordination aims to speed up procedures for immediately releasing goods and merchandise at various ports with priority given to food commodities, medicines, and production requirements.

"We are working with all state agencies to confront any importation practices that lead to the accumulation of goods at the ports," he said, noting that any goods which remain at ports after the expiration of the period to lodge and file goods declaration will be considered abandoned.