The Public Funds Investigations unit of the Ministry of Interior agreed to cease all security crackdowns on the sale of mobile devices in Cairo, and to consider bills and certificates of guarantee for mobiles devices as sufficient evidence of legal entry to Egypt.
According to the head of Communications and Mobile Syndicate, Mohammed Al-Mahdi, the agreement, reached by the syndicate in cooperation with the Mobile Communications Division in the Chamber of Commerce, does not include devices that are sold as imported items without a guarantee, or what is known commercially as international guarantee.
As for mobile accessories, it was agreed that a bill be submit to prove the validity of the dealer. Al-Mahdi confirmed that discussions are underway to apply this decision in all governorates.
The Chamber of Commerce said the traders have a strong legal standing. The chamber contacted security agencies to ensure that traders would not be harmed during any security crackdowns, executive director of the Mobile Communications Division in the chamber Walid Ramadan said.
A memorandum of recommendations from the Communications and Mobile Syndicate will be submitted to the syndicate’s officials next Sunday, Ramadan added.
General Manager of i2 Mohammed Alrakib said the syndicate agreed with the company to provide all necessary invoices and customs releases to prove the validity of the legal status of the distributed devices. In addition, the collection of cheques due from traders will be postponed during this period until the end of the current crisis.
A number of mobile phone shops were exposed to security campaigns due to the lack of customs clearance documentation of the devices they sell. Up to 70 traders and shop owners were arrested.
Traders had threatened to strike on 5 and 6 April if the security crackdowns against them did not ease.
