Import and export operations have been stopped after the closure of Port Said’s free trade zone, which is expected to increase food shortages in the governorate.
Port Said has been suffering shortages of foods and fuel after security forces stopped traffic on highways connecting the city with neighboring governorates, said Mohamed El-Masry, head of the Port Said Chamber of Commerce.
“Transport trucks refrained from going to Port Said due to panic and concerns over the riots that spread across the governorate,” said Galal Omran, the foodstuff division member of Cairo Chamber of Commerce.
Deputy head of the General Authority For Investment and Free Zones in Port Said (GAFI), Abdel Moniem El-Alfy, told Daily News Egypt the current situation had delivered a strong blow to factories operating in the free zone and their labourers.
“GAFI along with the police force are exerting efforts to contain the chaos in the free trade zone,” said Abdel Moniem.
Head of Suez Chamber of Commerce, Mohamed El-Mallah, said the Suez governorate is also under threat of food shortages.
