The Libyan-Egyptian Joint Economic Chamber alerted the Libyan side that some Egyptian private companies are inspecting certain goods imported into Libya, such as cement, paint, cleaning materials, and others.
These so-called inspection companies are collecting fees in US dollars ranging from $150 to $700, based on a letter from the Libyan Ministry of Environment and a cooperation protocol between the Libyan and Egyptian Chambers of Commerce and the Benghazi Union of Chambers of Commerce.
The Libyan-Egyptian Joint Economic Chamber stressed that in their view this fee collection is illegal and violates Libyan sovereignty, amounting to nothing more than the collection of fees that do not enter the Libyan or Egyptian treasuries.
It pointed out that the Libyan Customs Authority in Benghazi rejects these illegal practices, which are not required by customs procedures for release.
The Libyan-Egyptian Joint Economic Chamber pointed out that the goods analyses are conducted by laboratories within Libya. Therefore, it warned companies and suppliers against dealing with these private companies, which it said are ‘‘shrouded in secrecy and corruption’’.
The Libyan-Egyptian Joint Economic Chamber hoped that the Libyan authorities will intervene to stop this abuse, which it said negatively impacts citizens and is unacceptable in both form and substance.
