Egypt is constantly seeking to attract foreign investment. Although it allows the establishment of companies with 100% foreign ownership, and that such companies carry-on various commercial activities, some activities, such as importation, require Egyptian ownership to be at least 51%.

In the past, non-Egyptians were not allowed to undertake importation activities and other related activities, but as mentioned above, they were recently allowed to participate with a maximum of 49% shareholding percentage in companies operating importation and other related activities.

These changes, however, did not impact commercial agency activities, which remain limited to Egyptians.

It is prohibited to perform any commercial agency or brokerage activities without registration in the commercial agents and brokers register held by the competent ministry. One of the main conditions listed for registration in the commercial agents and brokers register as per Egypt Law No. 120/1982 on the Commercial Agency and Commercial Intermediary Law is the Egyptian nationality of commercial agents. Article 3 of Egypt Law No. 120/1982 lays out the conditions for individuals and companies as follows.

Individuals