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Daily News Egypt
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt reaffirms ban on industrial projects on farmland, in residential areas
In a continued effort to boost industrial development while preserving vital resources, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Al-Wazir held a meeting with investors in Beheira to address challenges facing the region's industrial zones and explore practical solutions. During the meeting, officials reviewed the implementation status of Beheira's three approved industrial zones, which span a total of 1,162.47 feddans. These include the Wadi El-Natrun Industrial Zone, covering 519.47 feddans; the Al-Tarrana Industrial Zone in Hosh Issa, covering 346 feddans; and the Nubaria Industrial Zone, covering 297 feddans. The discussions focused on land allocation, operational readiness, the availability of utilities, and the progress of ongoing infrastructure work in each zone. Attention was also given to the textile and ready-made garments industrial zone in Kafr El-Dawar. This complex, extending over more than 618,000 square meters, currently houses 138 factories operated by 103 investors. The Minister emphasized the importance of completing infrastructure and utility connections in the area to support production readiness. Al-Wazir directed officials from the Ministry of Industry, the Industrial Development Authority, and the Beheira Governorate to intensify planning efforts aimed at localizing industries based on the specific resources and advantages of each region. He noted that strategic localization should focus on sectors that deepen local manufacturing, create employment opportunities, and enhance the added value of national resources. The Minister underscored the urgency of accelerating infrastructure and utility development, while streamlining bureaucratic procedures to facilitate the rapid operation of factories. He also reaffirmed the Egyptian state's commitment to prohibiting any industrial activity on agricultural land or within residential areas, in accordance with directives from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. These directives, he said, are crucial for preserving arable land and securing food supplies for future generations. Al-Wazir reiterated the government's commitment to genuine industrial development within properly designated and fully serviced zones, which offer a sustainable and regulated environment for growth. He encouraged serious investors to make use of the 1,800 industrial plots recently made available through Egypt's Digital Industrial Platform, stressing that suitable alternatives will always be offered within the planned zones. Calling on investors to prioritize the national interest, he described the preservation of agricultural land as a shared responsibility. During the meeting, several investors raised concerns about recurrent power outages and voltage fluctuations in the Wadi El-Natrun zone, which are disrupting factory operations. In response, Al-Wazir directed immediate coordination with the Ministry of Electricity and the relevant distribution companies to identify urgent and sustainable solutions. He also instructed the development of a clear technical plan to strengthen the area's electrical network and ensure stable power supply, thereby supporting uninterrupted industrial activity and preventing production delays.
Egypt Today
24-02-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Ministry of Industry to open bids for industrial land plots on March 1-7
Cairo – February 24, 2025: The Ministry of Industry will offer 2,172 industrial land plots across 22 governorates, covering 13 million square meters, through the Digital Industrial Platform from March 1 to March 7, 2025. This offering introduces significant improvements to better serve investors, including the launch of the second phase of the platform. The new phase adds three essential services—building permits, validity statements, and industrial registration—bringing the total number of services available to six, streamlining the process and further facilitating industrial investments. In a bid to improve access to industrial land, investors will now be able to apply for both a primary and an alternative land plot. This change aims to increase the chances of securing land, as investors can choose one preferred plot and an alternative option. The government's move comes as part of its ongoing efforts to address the shortage of industrial land in the country and to combat land hoarding, which has hindered industrial development. By offering vast areas of land through a digital platform, the Ministry of Industry hopes to ensure that land is used effectively for industrial purposes. The plots offered in this round will be available across 22 governorates, including Cairo, Giza, Sharqia, and Aswan, with sizes ranging from 200 m² to 500,000 m². The offerings are aimed at meeting the growing demand for industrial land for both small and large-scale projects. To further incentivize industrial development, the government is introducing a range of facilitations and incentives for investors. These include a 50 percent reduction in the cost of studying applications, an exemption from submission fees, and the cancellation of financial guarantees, all designed to ease the financial burden on investors. Additionally, the reservation fee has been reduced to just 10 percent of the land's announced price, making it more affordable for investors. The government has been consistently offering land to investors as part of a broader effort to boost industrial development. Most recently, the Industrial Development Authority offered over 2,600 land plots in December 2024. These efforts are part of a larger regulatory reset aimed at promoting industrial growth and increasing local production. This initiative, which follows the success of the first phase of the Digital Industrial Platform launched in September 2024, aligns with the Ministry's goal to facilitate investment in Egypt's industrial sector through digital tools. The platform's user-friendly interface allows investors to easily access land offerings, submit applications, and make electronic payments, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the process. The Ministry of Industry continues to innovate with these initiatives to make industrial land more accessible and to enhance the country's industrial capabilities. With new services, improved application procedures, and financial incentives, Egypt is positioning itself as an attractive destination for both local and international industrial investment.
