Latest news with #KamelAlWazir
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
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.
Zawya
29-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt, Sweden discuss advancing local electric bus manufacturing, sustainable transport
Egypt - Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, met with Johan Forssell, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the transport and industrial sectors. Swedish Ambassador to Cairo, Håkan Emsgård, also attended the meeting. Al-Wazir underscored the longstanding and robust relations between Egypt and Sweden, expressing a strong desire to deepen collaboration, particularly in enhancing road safety—an effort aligned with Egypt's extensive national infrastructure projects in roads and bridges. Minister Forssell, leading a delegation of Swedish institutions and companies, expressed Sweden's keen interest in investing in Egypt's industrial development. He affirmed Sweden's readiness to support Egypt through technology transfer, expertise sharing, and cooperation across various transport sectors, recognizing Egypt's strategic position as a gateway to Africa. A key focus of the meeting was Egypt's initiative to localize the manufacturing of electric buses as part of its broader environmental and industrial strategy. Al-Wazir noted that Swedish company Volvo already manufactures electric buses in Egypt for export to the UK and several European markets. The ministers also discussed collaboration on Egypt's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Plans include the joint production of 100 electric buses, the development of electric charging infrastructure for upcoming BRT phases, and the implementation of advanced control and monitoring systems. Al-Wazir welcomed Swedish support in rolling out BRT services in Alexandria and emphasized opportunities for collaboration with other Swedish companies in the fields of renewable energy and pharmaceutical innovation, such as AstraZeneca. During the meeting, Al-Wazir and Forssell, along with Ambassador Emsgård, witnessed the signing of a Letter of Intent between Egypt's Land Transport Regulatory Authority and the International Swedish Industry Council. The agreement outlines cooperation in public transport planning, capacity building, technical evaluations, and knowledge transfer—particularly for BRT projects. Both sides concluded the meeting by agreeing to establish a series of expert-level follow-up sessions to monitor the implementation of joint projects and explore additional opportunities for Swedish companies in Egypt's growing market.
Trade Arabia
28-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Egypt aims to integrate railways into Asia-Europe network
Egyptian authorities are working to integrate the country into a railway network connecting Asia and Europe, but a long-planned bridge that would link Saudi Arabia to its Sinai Peninsula has yet to be finalised, said the country's transport minister. Egypt has been expanding its railways along seven separate axes, stated Kamel Al Wazir. These include three high-speed lines that would connect Sokhna Port on the Red Sea with the Mediterranean and Alexandria in the north and with Aswan in the far south, he noted. Israel and Iraq have likewise been spending billions of dollars on rail lines with an eye towards tapping the east-west trade. All the plans involve loading cargo onto ships for part of the journey. 'We have now completed the planning for the bridge between Egypt and Saudi Arabia and are ready to implement it at any time, whether a bridge or a tunnel,' Wazir told Reuters on the sideline of an economic conference organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt. 'But the (current) solution for connecting Egypt with Saudi Arabia and Jordan is through the Arab Bridge Maritime Company, which currently has 13 vessels that can take cargo between Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.' Saudi Arabia's King Salman had announced during a visit to Egypt in 2016 the idea for a bridge, which would complement the mega-city and business zone of NEOM which the Saudis are building across the Straits of Tiran. Rail cargo would be sent to a series of ports on the Mediterranean that Egypt has been upgrading over the last decade. The high-speed train line connecting to Egypt's south would skirt the edge of the pyramids area in the desert, while simultaneously serving the site, he added.
Arabian Business
26-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Plans to connect Saudi and Egypt through rail complete, says minister
Egypt said it has completed the planning of a bridge that would link Saudi Arabia to its Sinai Peninsula and eventually connect Asia and Europe by rail. Egyptian transport minister Kamel al-Wazir told Reuters during an economic conference organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt: 'We have now completed the planning for the bridge between Egypt and Saudi Arabia and are ready to implement it at any time – whether a bridge or a tunnel. 'But the (current) solution for connecting Egypt with Saudi Arabia and Jordan is through the Arab Bridge Maritime Company, which currently has 13 vessels that can take cargo between Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.' Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz first floated the idea for the 32-kilometer-long bridge during a state visit to Egypt in 2016. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi suggested that the bridge across the Strait of Tiran be called the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Bridge. At that time, it was estimated that the total cost of the project would be US$4 billion and it would be funded by Saudi Arabia. The long-planned bridge to link Saudi Arabia's Ras Hamid to an area near Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh area is yet to be finalised, but Egypt has been expanding its railways along seven separate axes, al-Wazir told Reuters. These include three high-speed lines that would connect Sokhna Port on the Red Sea with the Mediterranean and Alexandria in the north and with Aswan in the far south. Rail cargo would be sent to a series of ports on the Mediterranean that Egypt has been upgrading over the last decade. The high-speed train line connecting to Egypt's south would skirt the edge of the pyramids area in the desert, while simultaneously serving the site, he added. In September 2023, local media reported that Egypt was investing nearly US$7.8 billion in the first phase of its 2,000-km high-speed electric train network. The project was awarded to Germany's Siemens Mobility and its Egyptian partners Orascom Construction and the Arab Contractors Company, and is scheduled to be completed in three phases. A proposed route through the site of Abydos, where Egypt's first pharaohs were buried 5,000 years ago, has been diverted to pass over the plateau above and away from the antiquities site.
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt: Hassan Allam Construction inks deal to rehabilitate Alexandria Raml Tram
Arab Finance: Hassan Allam Construction, a subsidiary of Hassan Allam Holding, has signed a contract to implement the infrastructure works for the Alexandria Raml Tram rehabilitation project, according to a press release. The rehabilitation project will be executed in a joint venture (JV) with The Arab Contractors, awarded by the National Authority for Tunnels (NAT). The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry. The agreement covers the rehabilitation of a 13.2-kilometer tram line, the development of a modern maintenance depot, and the building of elevated viaducts at key traffic intersections. This is in addition to improving 24 stations along the route. These enhancements are expected to cut journey times from 60 to 35 minutes by boosting operational speed from 11 to 21 kilometers per hour. The project will also decrease headways from nine minutes to three, tripling hourly capacity from 4,700 to 13,800 passengers in each direction. Furthermore, this upgrade will support smoother traffic flow, lower emissions, and promote environmental sustainability in the city. Hassan Allam, CEO of Hassan Allam Holding, said: 'Revitalizing the historic Raml Tram will not only improve urban mobility in Alexandria but also preserve a vital piece of the city's cultural identity. We are proud to play a role in delivering sustainable infrastructure that supports national development goals.' © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
