Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book analyses the structure of the road freight industry in Egypt, and to identify how the privatisation and deregulation of that industry are being approached. It looks at the impact of foreigners purchasing Egyptian road freight companies, a feasible development in a world of ever-increasing global alliances in international shipping and intermodal transport and a topic of much debate in Egypt. The book examines both successes and failures and proposes adopt a critical approach. It presents the growth of the private economy, privatisation in Egypt, the Egyptian road freight industry, road freight management under privatisation, macroeconomic problems feeing privatisation of the road freight industry and the external cost of road freight under privatisation. The revolution of the 1950s led by President Nasser resulted in the state assuming a central role by introducing a planned economy through the nationalisation of all major businesses.