Egypt recently disclosed to the World Trade Organization new requirements for certain imported foods, USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service said in an Aug. 24 report. The new halal requirements and procedures will affect certain dairy products, including milk, buttermilk, butter and cheese. Egypt hasn’t notified the WTO of an effective date.
Saudi Arabia recently updated its regulations for shipping agents and permitting for port activities, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Aug. 18. The new measures, which took effect this month, give the Saudi Ports Authority the power to issue, renew, suspend or cancel port licenses, and include various penalties for violations. The country will use an online portal for license and permit applications and issuance, the report said.
South Africa recently suspended antidumping duties on poultry from Brazil, Denmark, Ireland, Poland and Spain for a 12-month period due to rising food prices, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service said in an August report. But the country will keep AD duties on poultry from Germany, the Netherlands, the U.K. and the U.S. USDA said Brazil is the only South African trading partner that will immediately benefit from the move because European poultry exports are limited by highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The South African government recently signed a deal with several trucking organizations to end a protest that had caused road blockages on “major” trade routes, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Aug. 3. The agreement will address concerns truckers had with “foreign drivers” taking trucking jobs, the report said, including a proposal that will better enforce visa requirements. Truckers had blocked major roadways during their protest, with bad effect on investor confidence, key supply chains and the country’s economy, HKTDC said.
A part of the massive port grain silos in Beirut that were damaged in a 2020 explosion collapsed July 31 following a weekslong fire, AP reported July 31. The lengthy fire at the silos was started by grains that fermented and caught fire due to the summer heat. The northern block of the silos fell to the ground. The general director of the Port Silo, Assaad Haddad, told the AP at the time that "everything is under control," though Civil Defense official Youssef Mallah said other areas of the silos' northern block were also at risk of collapse.
Pakistan recently launched the first phase of its new single window to better facilitate trade and reduce customs costs, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported July 26. The window will offer online document processing, electronic customs registration, digital payments and import permits, along with a range of other trade-related documents.
Dubai Customs recently announced a temporary ban on exports and reexports of iron scrap and paper waste, KPMG said July 20. The ban takes effect Sept. 30.
Kenya recently approved a new finance act that placed or increased duties on a range of imports, including various electronics, cosmetics, jewelry and other luxury goods, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported July 19. The country imposed new 10% duties on mobile phones and a 40% tariff on electronic cigarettes and other “nicotine devices,” HKTDC said. Kenya increased import duties on various beauty products and jewelry from 10% to 15%, and raised rates for sugar, spirits, fruit and vegetable juices and others. It eliminated the 25% import duty on furniture.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo last week appointed new members to the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa, which looks to expand U.S. market access and commercial relationships in the continent. The council, which also will advise the U.S. on support for the African Continental Free Trade Area and potential bilateral trade agreements, has 24 members for the 2022-2024 term.
There is growing and “ample market opportunity” for certain U.S. agricultural exporters in Kenya, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service said in a July 13 report, particularly for feed ingredients and processed products. USDA said Kenya is suffering from domestic supply issues due to high fertilizer prices, small rain-fed fields and low productivity, but its growing population and urbanization will lead to higher demand for imported goods.