PDF, GB, 56 p., 1,3 Mo - Femise

Hence, if you consider that bottom row of the table we see that 50.25% of EU imports
from Egypt were in products were the MFN tariff was zero and 0.29% where the
MFN tariff was non-zero. A total of 48.4% of Egyptian exports to the EU were
eligible for preferential tariff access. If we look at this we see that 32.9% of Egypt’s
trade entered with a zero preferential tariff, and 3.06% with a preferential tariff
greater than zero; while 6.53% was eligible for preferential treatment, but paid MFN
duties.
It is interesting to explore this latter statistic in a bit more detail by sector. Hence,
focussing again on the top panel of the table we see that in both mineral fuels, and
plastics over 8% of imports that in principle were eligible for preferential treatment,
did not take advantage of those preferences and paid MFN duties on export to the EU.
The bottom panel of the table provides the same information but this time we have
selected all those industries where the preference utilisation rate was below 20%.
Here we see for example that over 80% of exports to the EU paid MFN duties, where
in principle preferential access is allowed. Here, then there are 13 industries which are
not making use of the preferential access to which they are entitled – but of course the
underlying reasons for this are unknown. It should also be noted that these industries
only comprise a very small proportion of Egyptian exports to the EU. There
cumulative share of exports amounts to just under 2% of all exports.
In addition to looking at the pattern of preference utilisation it is important to consider
the principal industries which Egypt exports to the EU, and the possible importance of
rules of origin for those industries. The key messages which emerge on doing this are:
• 48% of EU imports from Egypt are Petroleum products and these are wholly
obtained.
• The second largest EU imports from Egypt are iron and steel (5.5%). These
products are granted free access to the EU and under all tariff regimes. ROO
implies a CTH. Therefore this sector can comply with ROO and be easily
granted free access to the EU.
• 4.6% of EU imports from Egypt are articles of apparel and clothing
accessories, knitted or crocheted. If we look more carefully at this sector we
find that almost 76% of the imports of this sector are produced from cotton,
therefore these goods originates and are granted free access to the EU.
• 4.3% of EU imports from Egypt are aluminum. EU ROO implies that these
products are granted free access if they are manufactured from materials of
any heading, except of the product and in which the value of all materials used
does not exceed 50% of the ex-works price of the product. So ROO are CTH
or VA. Again products can largely comply with these rules and are granted
free access to the EU.
• As for salts and sulfurs, etc imports from Egypt, they represent 4% of total
imports. 74% of this group are Portland cement which originates in Egypt and
enjoys free access to the EU (in any case the third country tariff rate is very
low at 1.7%)
• EU imports of vegetables ad fruits represent 3.5% and 2.4% of total imports
from Egypt and are granted free access to the EU since they are by definition,
wholly obtained.