A set of supportive policies

This comprehensive package of facilitation measures and incentives targets companies at various stages, whether in the start-up phase or during expansion, and includes more than 35 laws and regulations that govern the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Egypt.

Clearer & faster procedures

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An innovation-enabling business environment

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Government as a partner, not a competitor

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Startup-friendly infrastructure for growth & expansion

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Cultivate Local Talent & Unlock Global Opportunities

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Clearer & faster procedures 〰️ An innovation-enabling business environment 〰️ Government as a partner, not a competitor 〰️ Startup-friendly infrastructure for growth & expansion 〰️ Cultivate Local Talent & Unlock Global Opportunities 〰️

  • a unified digital system enabling entrepreneurs to complete all company registration procedures quickly and seamlessly through a single electronic window, without complexity or involvement of multiple authorities.

  • startups benefit from a simplified and incentive-based tax regime throughout their growth journey until reaching annual revenues of EGP 20 million, through the application of a low income tax rate ranging from 0.4% to 1.5% based on turnover, exemptions from capital gains tax, stamp duty, and registration and notarization fees, and the deferral of the first tax audit for five years to ease burdens during the establishment and scale-up phases, in addition to benefiting from a unified customs duty of 2%

  • assigning specialized tax offices to handle startups, taking into account their business models and cash flow characteristics, reducing complexity, ensuring clarity of tax rules, and avoiding unexpected tax assessments

Clearer & faster procedures

  • enabling end-to-end electronic engagement with tax authorities, labor offices, and social insurance through trained points of contact, accelerating service delivery, improving communication, and allowing the submission and tracking of applications and complaints without physical presence, exclusively for companies holding a certified “Startup” status.

  • enabling startups to complete liquidation procedures within 90 days without fines, with the seamless cancellation of commercial registration and tax files, allowing entrepreneurs to restart without undue burdens.

  • conducting a comprehensive assessment to identify regulatory and procedural challenges facing priority sub-sectors, and proposing tailored facilitation measures and practical solutions aligned with the nature of their activities.

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An innovation-enabling business environment

  • industrial startups receive a package of technical, operational, and marketing services including access to equipment, testing services, and technical and operational support enabling rapid scale-up at a 30% discounted rate.

  • Simplifying the import process for startups in electronics by placing them on a “white list,” reducing the time and complexity of importing advanced electronic components and systems for design and research purposes.

  • providing financial support for the drafting and registration of patents, trademarks, and industrial designs, with full coverage of registration costs at both the national and international levels (PCT).

  • a hands-on technical support programe for intellectual property registration, linking startups with a network of experts to support the development, commercialization, and market positioning of their innovations and technologies, thereby increasing their market value.

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Government as a partner, not a competitor

  • Outline how public sector entities intends to use digital tools, data, and infrastructure. Via such “demand signaling”, the roadmap aims to reduce market uncertainty, create tangible commercial pathways for startups and investors, and define strategic technology and R&D vectors.

  • Empowering startups by introducing a 15% price advantage for local companies in public tenders and earmarking 40% of government procurement for SMEs. This initiative will be bolstered by a robust database and streamlined communication channels to enhance engagement and foster strategic partnerships.

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  • to support the establishment and operation of startups and reduce their operational burdens.

  • service sectors such as technology, media, and financial services, to provide advanced infrastructure and support export-oriented startups through specialized services.

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Cultivate Local Talent & Unlock Global Opportunities

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Cultivate Local Talent & Unlock Global Opportunities

  • collaborating with JobTech companies to develop a national strategy for the future of work, focused on attracting, retaining, and upskilling talent.

  • establishing a national roster of experienced entrepreneurs (Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme) to engage them as advisors within ministries and universities, strengthening collaboration with startups and contributing to policy and process development.

  • tailored executive education programes for senior management teams of startups, funded under the Scale-Ups Support Programe.

  • direct financial support to startups in return for investing in technical training for their staff, helping to enhance team capabilities without imposing additional financial burdens.

  • easing entry of foreign nationals into Egypt through a visa system available to citizens of more than 180 countries, supporting investment attraction, the building of international teams, and expansion into global markets.

  • streamlining the process for applying for exemptions from foreign labor quota requirements through a specialized committee at the Ministry of Manpower, with clear guidance to expedite application reviews.

All of these benefits can be obtained through the classification certificate.

Get the classification certificate