Law on Development of Small Enterprises

Publication Date: 2004
Published by: Government of Egypt
Document Type: PDF

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A look at the law that governs small enterprises in Egypt

This document presents the Egyptian law governing the activities of small enterprises. The document states that:

• The provisions of the law shall apply to small and very small enterprises;
• The Social Fund for Development (SFD) is the competent authority for developing these enterprises;
• The Executive Regulations will determine the SFD system of operations and its fulfilment of duties;
• The law will be published in the official Gazette with the State’s seal.

The law covers:

• The definition of small and very small enterprises;
• The maximum amount of paid-up capital;
• The activities of the SFD;
• The activities of the units that the SFD will establish for the service of small enterprises. These activities include:
  • Entering into contracts with the owners of firms,
  • Issuing temporary licenses to owners,
  • Inspecting the firms, etc.

Further, the law discusses:

• The funding of small and very small firms, identifying:
  • Possible sources of funds;
  • Opportunities to be included in the State’s annual budget;
  • A system for the guarantee of credit risks.
• Incentives and facilitations, such as:
  • Allocation of land;
  • The provision of public utilities;
  • Services by experts in the areas of investment opportunities, feasibility studies, purchase of machinery, risk assessment, etc;
  • Providing the know-how about the latest developments in production and marketing techniques.

The law concludes by discussing licenses, suspension of administrative activities, complaints, etc.