Imports of Ramadan lanterns banned: Abdel Nour

A decision to stop the importation of Ramadan lanterns (known as Fawanees) was taken by Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade, Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour.

This decision is considered to be a turning point for a country that has been mainly depending on purchasing a locally favoured heritage for years from abroad.

The new rule arrives following a decision to stop imports of products that have features of Egyptian folklore and antiquities at the beginning of April 2015.

The ban will encourage the development of local and national industries, as well as help preserve Egyptian heritage, Mohamed Al-Suwaidi, Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) told state-run MENA.