The Upper Egypt Development Authority and the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones have discussed ways to attract investment, expand economic partnerships and establish new investment zones across Upper Egypt’s governorates, with a focus on boosting industrial production, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and creating sustainable jobs.
The meeting, held at the Upper Egypt Development Authority’s headquarters and chaired by its head, Major General Engineer Amr Abdel Moneim Mostafa, and General Authority for Investment and Free Zones CEO Mohamed Awad, comes amid Egypt’s efforts to promote investment, localise industry and strengthen private-sector participation in economic growth. The discussions also align with Egypt Forum 2026’s focus on economic development, industrial competitiveness, higher production and sustainable employment.
The two sides explored co-operation to strengthen investment promotion across Upper Egypt, support industrial and productive projects, make better use of natural and agricultural resources, and expand industries based on the competitive advantages of each governorate. They also stressed the importance of co-ordination between government, development and investment bodies to improve the business environment and direct investment towards activities that generate greater added value and strengthen the competitiveness of Egyptian products.
Abdel Moneim said the authority’s strategy aims to maximise the use of Upper Egypt’s economic potential and natural and human resources by turning promising opportunities into productive and investment projects that contribute to the national economy and provide sustainable employment. He added that closer co-operation with the investment authority would help investors identify available opportunities, facilitate industrial and productive projects, and increase private-sector participation in regional development.
Awad said developing Upper Egypt’s governorates was a key pillar of the country’s strategy to attract domestic and foreign investment. He highlighted investment zones as an effective model for attracting businesses by providing an integrated regulatory framework to facilitate project establishment and operation, while supporting industrial, productive and service clusters tailored to each governorate’s resources and competitive strengths.
The authorities will study suitable sites and land for new investment zones and identify the most appropriate economic activities for each location. Priority sectors include SMEs, food processing, agricultural products, manufacturing based on local resources and logistics services, with the aim of deepening local manufacturing and increasing the added value of domestic products.
Awad reaffirmed the investment authority’s commitment to working with the Upper Egypt Development Authority to prepare viable investment opportunities and promote them to investors, prioritising locations with sound economic prospects and the necessary infrastructure. The co-operation supports Egypt Vision 2030 objectives for balanced regional development, stronger domestic and foreign investment, industrial growth and improved living standards.
