"New Rules for the Publication and

On March 31st, 2010 the Egyptian Gazette published Minister of Education Decree Number 52 of 2010 which introduces a new set of rules and guidelines for the publication and printing of school guide books. Guidebooks are not the official textbooks issued by the Ministry of Education; they are the help or guide books published by private publishers to provide assistance for school children in studying. The new rules state clearly that no such guide books will be allowed to be published unless authorization is obtained from the Ministry of Education. Requests for such license are submitted during the month of May of each year, and a decision by a specially formed committee at the Ministry is made within 30 days of submitting the request. The Decree specifically determines the procedures for the following:

• Submission of request.
• Completion of documents.
• Payment of fees.
• Appeal from rejection.
• Follow up on license.

The new Decree merely organizes the procedures for an already existing process, but it is important and welcome because it provides clear guidelines, procedures and an appeal process which should ensure a higher level of transparency in a large market. This should present an important business opportunity for a large and growing market for companies specialized in publishing and printing of school guidebooks.