Egypt Banning Souvenirs Imported from China

How many times do you think you’ve seen “Made in China” on, well, just about everything? Half the things you get your hands on are stamped with that phrase. The list ranges from clothes to silverware to electronics.

Anyway, the Foreign Trade and Industry Minister, Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour has issued a ban on all Egyptian souvenirs imported from China that bear folkloric, artistic and historic features. The decision was declared because he felt that Egyptian’s heritage and property rights needed to be preserved.

If you buy a makeshift pyramid and turn it over to see that it was made in China it might be a little bit of a turn off when it comes to purchasing time. On the other hand if you purchase the same pyramid which was instead handmade by the locals of the area - even though it will be a bit more costly - you know that the money is contributing to the craftsmen of the country instead of the heads of a huge company in China. Plus you’ll have full bragging rights that this was handmade by the Egyptians!

Mr. Abdel Nour has stated that the Intellectual Property Rights Law gives the Culture Minister full authority to supervise financial and literary rights pertaining to national folklore. Subsequently, a team from the Trade, Culture, and Antiquities ministries will be formed to draft guidelines to protect the country’s intellectual rights.

This should be a pleasant turn for the continuously fluctuant economy of our great country.