The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) held a coordination meeting to develop a strategy to control auto markets.
The meeting was chaired by CPA Head Atef Yaqoub, Egyptian Automotive Manufacturers Association (EAMA) Chairman Hassan Soliman, and the association Vice-Chairman Farid El-Tobgy.
Yaqoub said this meeting was held with the Board of Directors of the Association after they were elected in light of the CPA’s to regulate the auto industry market for the benefit of the Egyptian consumer.
Yaqoub requested from Minister of Industry Tarek Qabil to apply Egyptian standards – 10 specifications – on imported cars, similar to those applied to the locally produced cars. He also emphasised the need to fully apply the remaining 137 specifications, in particular security and safety ones.
He further highlighted the need for a government technical reference of a high standard, certified according to international requirements, to file technical reports that keep pace with the developments in the industry. This was confirmed by the association, which also approved the establishment of a centre in coordination with the Egyptian Organisation for Standardisation and Quality.
The state must adopt exemptions for car’s security parts from any customs, Yaqoub said. Within the same discussion, it was agreed to review the modal project that was adopted by the EAMA. The project is expected to raise the efficiency of traffic in areas, to be determined in coordination with the traffic authorities and localities, and to provide them with traffic lights, surveillance equipment, and road guide signs.
The CPA supports any policy that aims to raise the efficiency of maintenance centres of the agents, manufacturers, and their employees. They also discussed developing a proposal for reservation receipts that prove the price of sold items, guarantee committing to it without increases, and committing to the delivery timeliness.
The new draft of the consumer protection law regulates the used car market, where a certificate that describes the state of the car is required when selling it.
Market regulation requires developing a specification for all auto trading rings and requirements for exhibitions. Yaqoub promised to raise manufacturers’ questions and concerns to the General Directorate of Traffic with respect to the problems they face.
The CPA is committed to raising the efficiency of maintenance centres of agents and manufacturers, he said, highlighting the importance in not importing cars unless premium service centres are available.
At the end of the meeting, the attendees agreed on meeting on a regular basis to develop implementation mechanism and programmes to apply what has been stipulated by the strategy, Yaqoub said.
