New NGOs Law

This year Egypt has ratified a New NGOs Law, where a National Authority for the Regulation of Non-Governmental Foreign Organizations is to be formed through a presidential decree, will be chaired by a full-time president, and will include representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, defense, justice, interior, international cooperation and social solidarity, and other entities. 

The main distinctive features of the New NGOs Law no. 70 of the year 2017 [Law], would be summarized pursuant Article 16, as follows:

i. Enjoying a discount of 30% on the wages of transporting the equipment and machinery by rail ways it was 25% in the old law;

ii. Exemption from the customs taxes, registration and entry fees in all kinds of contracts which it is party, stamp duty and taxes currently imposed or to be imposed in the future;

iii. The buildings owned by the Association will be exempted from all the real estate taxes; and

iv. The consumption of water, electricity and natural gas, will be treated as a household consumption.

N.B. The Law has stipulated for other provisions, and the NGO are waiting for the issuance of the Executive Regulations to clarify the provisions of the law and how they shall proceed with this new law. Until the issuance of the Executive Regulations, the previous regulations and ministerial decrees would be valid; sound and effective.