Several chambers of commerce across Egypt intend to complete a conceptualisation of closing times for commercial stores after the end of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
The proposals will be submitted to the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC) within a week.
These conceptualisations come as part of the community-based dialogue with various commercial sectors, which was instigated by a letter sent to FEDCOC by the Egyptian cabinet.
Ehab Saeed, Cairo Chamber of Commerce board member and head of the Division of Communications Centers, said the chamber met with its divisional heads to discuss work times. These would be for non-service businesses other than pharmacies, supermarkets and bakeries.
Saeed added that the dialogue on shop closing times is ongoing, and will be agreed upon by the chamber’s members. He explained that setting a specific time is recommended in terms of providing and maintaining employment, and for saving on energy consumption.
He elaborated that shop closing times will vary depending on their activities. The Cairo Chamber of Commerce will meet soon to approve the proposed times, he added, with closing times in Cairo expected to stand at 10:00pm. The proposals will be submitted first to FEDCOC, who will then send the proposals to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.
Minya Chamber of Commerce member Ayman Abdel Rahman Al-Afandi said that the chamber has opened the table to the opinions of all merchants under its jurisdiction. The chamber will take their opinion on determining the closing time of commercial shops in the governorate.
Al-Afandi added that the best time for shops to close is at 10pm. He added that pharmacies, supermarkets and food shops will continue to work.
He said that this decision will lead to the regulation of commercial areas, and provide the authorities the opportunity to collect waste. It will also give the relevant authorities the opportunity to pave roads and maintain facilities, whilst also providing traders with continued employment..
Amr Abu El-Oyoun, Head of the Chamber of Commerce in Assiut, said that the chamber launched a community dialogue with merchants seeking the latter’s opinions on closing commercial stores at 12am.
Abu El-Oyoun pointed out that closing shops at this time is appropriate and will reflect well on economic development in the coming period if the decision is implemented.
