Egypt Seeks Via ‘Nafeza’ to Boost Ports’ Performance

Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt Seeks Via ‘Nafeza’ to Boost Ports’ Performance

Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt’s Finance Minister Mohamed Maait said his country is advancing in the optimal use of modern technology to ensure the speedy and accurate implementation of projects.

This comes in line with efforts to lay the foundations for a more advanced digital work environment and governance based on linking all ports to the National Single Window for Foreign Trade, Nafeza, and the newly developed logistic centers.

Cairo has also been seeking to implement the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system to localize distinguished global expertise and reduce the customs release time, cost of the import and export process, and real-time monitoring of Egyptian imports and exports.

Maait’s remarks were made in a press statement issued by his ministry on Saturday, in which he reviewed a report on the customs’ performance during Eid al-Adha holiday.

He said these efforts will contribute to maintaining the prices of goods and services as much as possible and protecting local markets from inferior and non-conforming goods, noting that the main target is for ports to be used as transit gates only not as warehouses.

Maait underlined the importance of taking all measures for local and foreign investments to help maximize local production, enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian products in global markets, and facilitate trade movement.

He further underscored the need to improve Egypt’s ranking in three major international indicators, namely “global competitiveness, doing business, and the macroeconomic environment.”



Gold Falls as Positive US-China Talks Hamper Safe-haven Appeal

Gold jewelry are displayed for sale at V&P Jewelry in the St. Vincent Jewelry Center in the Jewelry District of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Gold jewelry are displayed for sale at V&P Jewelry in the St. Vincent Jewelry Center in the Jewelry District of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Gold Falls as Positive US-China Talks Hamper Safe-haven Appeal

Gold jewelry are displayed for sale at V&P Jewelry in the St. Vincent Jewelry Center in the Jewelry District of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Gold jewelry are displayed for sale at V&P Jewelry in the St. Vincent Jewelry Center in the Jewelry District of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Gold slipped on Monday as positive US-China trade talks alleviated market fears, leading investors to shift from safe-haven assets towards riskier investments.

Spot gold fell 1.4% to $3,277.34 an ounce, as of 0432 GMT. US gold futures lost 1.9% to $3,281.70, Reuters reported.

"The dollar index has advanced as the Trump administration touted progress in trade negotiations, with China following negotiations over the weekend in Switzerland which weighed on gold prices," said Jigar Trivedi, senior commodity analyst at Reliance Securities.

The US and China ended high-stakes trade talks on a positive note on Sunday, with US officials touting a "deal" to reduce the US trade deficit, while Chinese officials said they had reached "important consensus".

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said a joint statement would be released in Geneva on Monday.

The US and China imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on each other last month, triggering a trade war that fueled fears of global recession.

The US will be left with higher tariffs once the dust settles from President Donald Trump's trade negotiations, a majority of the current and former Trump advisers Reuters spoke to said.

Gold, traditionally seen as a hedge against economic and political uncertainties, thrives in a low-interest rate environment.

On Friday, Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack said the Fed needs more time to see how the economy responds to Trump's tariffs and other policies before figuring out the right response.

Traders are also eyeing release of US Consumer Price Index on Tuesday for fresh signals on the Fed's monetary policy trajectory.

"In the near term, gold possibly continue to decline as the dollar could appreciate and amid reducing geopolitical risk the haven demand too may drop hence, the yellow metal may decline to $3,200/oz in the near term," Trivedi added.

Spot silver gained 0.4% to $32.84 an ounce, platinum rose 0.7% to $1,001.90 and palladium firmed 0.6% to $981.20.