Egypt, UAE in talks for joint industrial zone

Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are in advanced negotiations to establish a large-scale Emirati industrial zone in Egypt. The zone is expected to serve both domestic demand and export markets.

The announcement came after Kamel El-Wazir, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport; held a high-level meeting with a UAE delegation headed by Omar Al-Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.

The proposed industrial zone, targeting the East Port Said region due to its strategic location and transportation links, is envisioned to house a diverse range of industries.

El-Wazir said the new industrial zone is poised to be a hub for a diverse range of sustainable development projects, including solar power generation, wind turbine manufacturing, wastewater treatment facilities, seawater desalination plants, and an aluminum production complex.

The government aims to maximise local component by utilising domestic suppliers while also strategically sourcing raw materials and equipment from abroad, he added.

Recognising the immense potential for Emirati investment, El-Wazir highlighted numerous investment opportunities within Egypt’s market. These include the aluminum sector, with a domestic consumption value of approximately $500 million, the production of cladding materials for construction, a large-scale automotive manufacturing plant, MDF wood processing, glass manufacturing, and the potential development of perfume production facilities in Fayoum and Minya.

The collaboration aligns with the strategic vision of both countries to strengthen economic ties and expand industrial cooperation.

Both nations expressed their commitment to activating the integrated industrial partnership agreement between Egypt and several Arab countries, with a particular focus on pharmaceuticals, textiles, and agriculture.

Attribution: The Egyptian Cabinet