Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel el-Wazir chaired Monday the 27th meeting of the Ministerial Group for Industrial Development.
At the onset of the meeting, the deputy prime minister emphasized the group’s continued commitment to reviewing any application for establishing industrial projects under the special free zone system or for issuing the “Golden License”.
Wazir said all ministers and relevant authorities responsible for reviewing and approving these applications are members of this group. He stressed the need to activate the single-window system within the Industrial Development Authority, being the sole body authorized to issue industrial licenses.
The step aims to resolve overlaps among the various agencies that have jurisdiction over industrial land or issue project approvals.
The meeting reviewed three applications from industrial companies to establish projects under the special free zone system, including a project to manufacture PVC panels and flooring in the industrial zone of New Alamein City, with investments worth dlrs108 million and providing 2,150 jobs, a ready-made garments manufacturing project in the medium-industries area of New Beni Suef City, with investments of $30 million and creating 9,000 jobs, a textile manufacturing project in 10th of Ramadan City in Sharqia Governorate, with investments worth dlrs 78.5 million and generating 4,000 jobs.
The committee approved all three projects, as they met the criteria for special free zones. The deputy prime minister said the first project represents a new industry in the Egyptian market, meeting local demand and located in New Alamein City – a promising area for all activities. He added that the garments and textile projects are among the labor-intensive and low-energy-consuming industries that the government aims to promote, as Egypt possesses competitive advantages, vast experience and skilled labor in these sectors.
Wazir also said the government is targeting increased investment and industrial projects in Beni Suef, Minya, and Fayoum – governorates rich in skilled labor. The Ministry of Industry has launched two integrated textile cities: one in Wadi Al-Saririya in Minya Governorate and the other in the industrial zone in the north of Fayoum Governorate, with the aim to absorb the dense workforce in these areas and meet both local market needs and export goals, he said.
Topics covered current steps to introduce new incentives, including expanding the availability of EV charging stations across the various governorates to serve citizens and investors and support electric vehicle adoption, Wazir added.
