Latest news with #GreaterCairo
Zawya
6 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Egypt prepares to tackle seasonal air pollution in Nile Delta
Egypt is launching preparations to combat the seasonal episodes of acute air pollution, often referred to as the 'black cloud,' that affect the Nile Delta region, Minister of Local Development and acting Minister of Environment, Manal Awad, has announced. The ministry will hold a series of periodic meetings with the governors of the affected provinces, starting with Kafr El-Sheikh, to coordinate efforts between the ministries of agriculture, environment, and local development, Awad said in a Tuesday statement. The first of these meetings took place on Monday in Kafr El-Sheikh, attended by local officials and representatives from the ministries and the World Bank-funded Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project. 'This comes in implementation of the political leadership's directives to provide a clean and safe environment for citizens, and in preparation for dealing with acute air pollution episodes associated with the burning of agricultural waste,' Awad stated. She emphasised that the combined efforts of ministries and relevant bodies will help turn this environmental challenge into an economic opportunity by utilising rice straw as an economic product instead of burning it. 'This system represents a success story for Egypt in addressing climate change, as it has increased farmers' awareness of the economic value of rice straw, reduced open burning rates, and created new job opportunities in rural areas,' Awad added. During the meeting in Kafr El-Sheikh, the governorate's assistant secretary-general, Major General Mohamed Sha'ir, stressed the importance of coordinating efforts to tackle the open burning of agricultural waste by promoting its recycling into fertilisers and feed. The plan for the 2025 season includes enhancing the collection and recycling of rice straw, coordinating between agencies to prevent waste accumulation, and enforcing penalties for violators. Officials at the meeting noted that Kafr El-Sheikh is one of Egypt's top rice-producing governorates and that its farmers have become increasingly aware of the benefits of using rice straw to produce organic fertilisers, animal feed, and other products. Dr. Mohamed Hassan, the national coordinator of the Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project, highlighted the project's role in reducing air pollutant emissions from two main sources: open waste burning and vehicle emissions. The $200 million project, launched in 2021 with World Bank funding, is establishing monitoring networks, implementing an integrated air quality management plan, and supporting waste management infrastructure. Hossam Amin, head of the branch affairs sector at the Environmental Affairs Agency, said that recycling rice straw also contributes to producing organic fertilisers, biofuel, and handicrafts, creating non-traditional job opportunities for youth in rural areas. Dr. Alaa Azzouz, head of the agricultural extension sector at the Ministry of Agriculture, affirmed the ministry's continued technical support for farmers and the implementation of awareness campaigns to promote safe management practices for agricultural waste. © 2025 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Bloomberg
20-07-2025
- Bloomberg
Egypt Security Forces Kill Two Suspected Militants in Shootout
Egyptian security forces killed two suspected Islamist militants in a shootout in a Greater Cairo neighborhood, authorities said. A bystander also died in the confrontation at a hideout in Giza, the Interior Ministry said Sunday. The militants were said to have belonged to Hasm — a movement whose leaders were associated with the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood — and were plotting attacks in the country, it said.
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
El-Romany & Happy Developments partner to launch Highvale, debut projects in New Cairo
El-Romany Real Estate Development and Happy Developments have announced the formation of a new joint venture under the name Highvale Developments, marking a strategic move to strengthen their footprint in Egypt's dynamic real estate market. Highvale Developments unveiled an ambitious expansion strategy for the upcoming period, beginning with the launch of a flagship project located in the heart of New Cairo. The company also intends to expand its investment activities to include the New Administrative Capital and Sheikh Zayed City, signaling a multi-directional growth plan across Greater Cairo's most sought-after real estate hubs. Commenting on the new venture, Romany Youssef, Chairperson of Highvale Developments and owner of El-Romany Real Estate Development, stated, 'Establishing Highvale is the culmination of a long journey of accumulated expertise from both companies. El-Romany Real Estate Development has over 20 years of experience in the market, during which we have successfully delivered to more than 2,000 clients. We are excited to begin this new chapter of expansion in Egypt's real estate sector.' Youssef added that the newly formed company will reveal full details of its first New Cairo project in the coming period, positioning it as the launchpad for Highvale's entry into Egypt's competitive residential market. From his side, Marco Refaat, Board Member of Highvale Developments and owner of Happy Developments, emphasized the strategic value of the partnership. 'Through this partnership, we aim to merge our experiences. Happy Developments brings nearly eight years of experience in real estate development, along with our ownership of Happy Mix for building materials—giving us a major competitive edge in controlling both quality and cost,' he said. With the combined strengths of El-Romany's longstanding market presence and Happy Developments' integrated supply capabilities, Highvale Developments is positioning itself as a distinctive player set to deliver high-quality, value-driven projects in Egypt's growing urban landscape.
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Cairo Real Estate Market posts strong Q1 2025 performance across all sectors
Cairo's real estate market kicked off 2025 with solid momentum, showing robust activity across residential, office, retail, and hospitality segments, according to The Cairo Real Estate Market Dynamics – Q1 2025 report. Residential Sector Approximately 7,500 new residential units were delivered in Q1, bringing Cairo's total housing stock to around 301,100 units. Most upcoming completions—estimated at 28,500 units by year-end—are concentrated in East Greater Cairo. Although growth has eased from the triple-digit surges of 2024, market activity remains healthy. A stabilizing exchange rate and a sharp decline in inflation to 13.6% as of March 2025 have contributed to this normalization. Property sales prices in 6th October and New Cairo increased by an average of 89.4% year-on-year, while rental rates rose 90.2% and 88.2%, respectively. A growing trend has seen more prospective buyers opting to rent in high-end neighborhoods previously beyond their purchasing power. This shift is encouraging landlords to lease rather than sell, bolstering the rental market and enhancing investment returns. Office Sector The office market expanded by roughly 10,500 sqm of leasable space in Q1, raising Cairo's total office inventory to approximately 2.2 million sqm. An additional 615,300 sqm is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Grade A office vacancies declined to 8.6%, down from 10.9% in the previous quarter. Rents rose year-on-year by 4.7% for Grade A offices and 2.9% for Prime spaces. Limited availability of high-quality stock kept landlords in a strong negotiating position. Parking availability has become increasingly important in lease discussions, driving developers to incorporate podium parking in new projects. Retail Sector Cairo's retail market added 27,000 sqm of gross leasable area (GLA) in Q1, increasing total retail stock to 3.22 million sqm. Most of this growth occurred in New Cairo and the New Administrative Capital, with expansions in business parks, malls, and community centers. Vacancy rates fell to 7.2%, down from 9.2% a year earlier, as improved footfall and tenant demand supported performance. Outdoor, community-focused retail formats—especially those centered on F\&B and entertainment—outperformed traditional malls. Rental rates rose across the board, with super-regional malls seeing a 7.4% annual increase and community malls registering an 11.4% uptick. Despite higher rents, landlords continued to offer leasing incentives such as rent abatements and capital expenditure contributions. Hospitality Sector The hospitality sector saw the addition of approximately 870 hotel keys in Q1, following the openings of Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi and Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile. This brings Cairo's total hotel stock to about 27,800 keys. While occupancy slipped slightly by 0.7% year-on-year through March, average daily rates (ADR) rose sharply by 30.5%, driving a 29.1% increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR). These gains signal strong pricing power and sustained recovery in tourism, especially in the upscale and luxury segments. Market Outlook Cairo's real estate market in Q1 2025 demonstrated resilience and adaptability, with each sector effectively navigating evolving economic conditions and shifting consumer preferences.
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt's PM inspects BRT project during trial phase ahead of public launch
Egypt - Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, joined by Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Al-Wazir, carried out an inspection tour on Saturday to assess the progress and operational readiness of the first phase of Egypt's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, in preparation for its public debut. This initial phase stretches from the intersection of the Ring Road with the Alexandria Agricultural Road to the Police Academy Station. The BRT project is a major component of the government's plan to provide efficient, high-quality, and environmentally friendly mass transit solutions across Greater Cairo. Prime Minister Madbouly emphasized the strategic importance of the BRT system, describing it as one of the most significant environmentally sustainable public transportation projects under development. He stressed that it will improve the daily commute for thousands of citizens by offering reliable, electric-powered, zero-emission buses. Minister Al-Wazir highlighted the project's alignment with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's vision to develop a modern, integrated, and eco-conscious public transport network. He noted that the 35-kilometer trial phase of the BRT has already begun serving commuters along the Ring Road and is expected to play a key role in reducing congestion by encouraging a shift away from private vehicles. The BRT corridor will connect major intersections along the Ring Road, including Suez, Adly Mansour, Marg, and Mostorod, and is envisioned as a vital link between the eastern and western parts of the capital. It will also provide a fast, direct connection to the New Administrative Capital. Moreover, the system will integrate with other transportation modes by linking to Metro Line 1 at Zahraa and Marg stations, Metro Line 3 at Adly Mansour and Imbaba, and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) at Adly Mansour. The tour began at the station located at the intersection of the Ring Road and Alexandria Agricultural Road. There, the Prime Minister and the Minister received a briefing from project manager Mahmoud El-Sheikh on the system's development stages. El-Sheikh explained that the full BRT network will extend 110 kilometers and be executed in three phases, incorporating 48 stations, a main charging depot, and three auxiliary charging stations. The first phase, which is set to open soon to the public, includes 14 stations running from the Alexandria Agricultural Road to the Police Academy. These stations consist of a mix of non-standard, surface, and sub-surface facilities, designed to ensure accessibility and safe pedestrian movement. Among them are Adly Mansour Station, two surface stations with pedestrian bridges at Bahtim and the Police Academy, and 11 surface stations equipped with pedestrian underpasses serving key districts such as Shubra Benha, Mostorod, Marg, and Suez Road. El-Sheikh also reported that work on the second phase is underway, which will add 21 stations between El-Moshir Tantawy and the Fayoum intersection. This section will include stops along the Mariouteya Axis—such as Haram, King Faisal, and Tersa—as well as a station near the Grand Egyptian Museum on the Alexandria Desert Road. The third and final phase will follow the completion of expansion works between the Alexandria Agricultural and Desert Roads, adding 13 more stations. During the inspection, Madbouly and Al-Wazir visited several stations along the route. At El-Qalag Station, they reviewed pedestrian tunnel access designed to connect the station to surrounding areas, including Mohamed Naguib Road. At Salam Station, a surface stop with tunnel access, they observed preparations to serve nearby residential areas, a bus terminal, El-Nahda City, and Salam Stadium. Their visit concluded at the Police Academy Station, which features a pedestrian bridge and serves Zahraa Nasr City, the First Settlement, and the Academy. In an unplanned stop during the tour, the Prime Minister inspected the newly developed Salam multi-level terminal, which has recently entered phased operation. Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber provided an overview of the facility, developed by the National Roads Company. The terminal, located at the entrance to Salam City along the Ring Road, spans three floors and accommodates up to 2,500 vehicles. It supports 39 intergovernorate transport routes and 18 local service lines within Cairo. In addition, it houses 254 commercial outlets. Governor Saber noted that the terminal plays a key role in restoring order to the area. The Cairo Governorate recently removed informal street vendors from Sadat Square, refurbishing it with new lighting, pavement, and landscaping. The vendors were relocated to designated commercial spaces within the new terminal, providing them with legal, secure, and sustainable business opportunities through coordination with the National Company. © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
