Egypt, GE start building Mideast’s first MRI, ultrasound device plant

Egypt has started construction of the Middle East’s first factory to produce ultrasound and MRI machines, as part of a partnership between GE Healthcare and a subsidiary of Al Safi Group, the Egyptian Cabinet said on Thursday.

Located in 6th of October City, the 25,000-square-metre facility will produce around 2,500 ultrasound devices and 40 to 50 MRI machines annually. It will also manufacture telecom equipment, smartphones and televisions across 25 production lines, creating 2,000 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs.

“This factory is a milestone in our efforts to localise strategic industries and reduce dependence on imports, while strengthening public-private cooperation.” said Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, who toured the site alongside senior ministers and officials.

He added that the facility will enhance diagnostic capacity, support technology transfer, and boost exports of medical devices, particularly to African markets.

Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said the factory will help improve Egypt’s healthcare infrastructure, support technology transfer and boost exports, especially to African markets.

Mark Stoesz, GE Healthcare President of Enterprise Solutions and Partnerships International Markets, said Egypt’s large market and government focus on healthcare made it an ideal hub for regional medical device manufacturing.

Prime Minister Madbouly added that the government is committed to offering incentives to encourage further investment in high-tech medical production.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser