Egypt is streamlining its import procedures and establishing a registry of companies that will inspect potential purchases abroad, according to a statement by the Ministry of Trade quoting a decree by the Minister. Upon arrival, the grains will be inspected by the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC), a Ministry of Trade agency. Importers now have to submit a form to the GOEIC specifying the shipment's country of origin and the amount being imported. Approvals are to be issued within two working days of submission. The GOEIC will coordinate with the quarantine authorities over which ports of origin are acceptable to import from. Officials who led the agriculture quarantine process and used to reject many shipments last year will no longer be the lead authority on grains inspections. Egypt will no longer send government inspectors abroad, and the role of the Ministry of Health will be reduced. (Reuters)