Latest news with #KamelAlWazir
Zawya
22-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt to establish three private free zone factories for PVC panels, textiles with $216.5mln in investments
Egypt - Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Al-Wazir affirmed the government's ongoing commitment to reviewing applications for establishing private free zone projects and granting golden licenses, as part of broader efforts to attract investment and boost industrial development. Speaking during the 27th meeting of the Ministerial Group for Industrial Development — attended by ministers of electricity, housing, petroleum, planning, public enterprise, investment and other senior officials — Al-Wazir emphasised the importance of activating the one-stop shop system at the Industrial Development Authority. As the sole body authorised to issue industrial licences, this step aims to reduce bureaucratic overlap among entities responsible for land allocation and project approvals. During the meeting, the committee reviewed and approved three new private free zone projects submitted by industrial companies. These include: A PVC panels and flooring manufacturing plant in the industrial zone of New Alamein City, with investments of $108m, expected to create 2,150 job opportunities. A ready-made garments factory in the medium industries zone of New Beni Suef City, with investments of $30m, targeting 9,000 jobs. A textile manufacturing project in 10th of Ramadan City, Sharqia Governorate, with investments of $78.5m, set to provide 4,000 jobs. Al-Wazir noted that the PVC panels project represents a new industry for the Egyptian market and will help meet domestic demand from a strategic location in New Alamein. He added that the garments and textile factories align with Egypt's strategy to expand labor-intensive, energy-efficient industries where the country enjoys competitive advantages thanks to skilled labor and industry experience. The minister also highlighted government efforts to encourage industrial investment in governorates such as Beni Suef, Minya, and Fayoum, which are rich in skilled labor. Two integrated textile cities have already been launched in Wadi El-Saririya (Minya) and the North Fayoum Industrial Zone to support job creation, meet local market needs, and boost exports. As part of its broader strategy to enhance the investment climate and improve the management of industrial land, the meeting discussed mechanisms for upgrading utilities in industrial zones to ensure optimal infrastructure use in support of economic growth. Al-Wazir directed the formation of a joint technical committee — comprising representatives from the ministries of industry, planning, finance, housing, local development, and the Federation of Egyptian Industries — to study the restructuring of the Industrial Utilities Support Fund and expand utilities provision to underserved industrial areas. The review will cover administrative, financial, and technical aspects to maximise the fund's effectiveness in supporting industrial development and infrastructure improvements. The meeting also addressed policies to secure sustainable natural gas supplies for the industrial sector, taking into account energy cost challenges and factory operations. It highlighted the importance of rescheduling outstanding debts owed by factories to the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources through flexible mechanisms that enable continued production while protecting state rights. Additionally, the committee reviewed recent efforts by the Ministry of Petroleum to secure gas supplies for the national grid — including higher domestic extraction and the use of regasification vessels — which have helped meet rising industrial demand and maintain production momentum.
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Egypt urges auto manufacturers to boost local value-added under revised industry programme
Egypt - Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, held on Monday an extensive meeting with automotive manufacturers operating in Egypt to review recent amendments to the National Automotive Industry Development Programme (AIDP). Attending the meeting were the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, senior officials from the Ministry of Finance—including the Deputy Minister for Tax Policies—the heads of the Egyptian Tax and Customs Authorities, and members of the programme's technical committee, alongside representatives from the Ministries of Industry, Investment, Foreign Trade, and Finance. Opening the meeting, Al-Wazir stressed that the updated programme is designed to provide meaningful incentives to manufacturers and ensure long-term sustainability by adopting a practical and realistic approach. He emphasised the need to enhance local manufacturing to scale up production and fully utilise existing industrial capacities and resources. The amendments were approved by the Ministerial Group for Industrial Development and the Supreme Council for the Automotive Industry, chaired by the Prime Minister, and were subsequently ratified by the Cabinet. Al-Wazir affirmed the state's readiness to support automakers in developing this strategic sector for mutual benefit. He also announced the conclusion of the transitional period on 30 June and instructed the Ministry of Finance to start disbursing entitlements to companies registered under the programme. The revised AIDP officially took effect on 1 July. The meeting reviewed the criteria for joining the updated incentive scheme, including increasing local value-added, expanding production volumes, attracting new investments, meeting environmental standards, and supporting development in priority regions. To qualify, manufacturers must produce at least 10,000 fossil-fuel vehicles annually, with a minimum of 5,000 units per model and local content starting at 20%, subject to biennial review. For electric vehicles, initial production must be at least 1,000 units, increasing to 7,000 by the end of the programme, with a starting local content of 10%, reviewed annually. Electric vehicles will receive 50% of the incentives linked to value-added and production volume and full incentives for new investment and environmental compliance. The maximum eligible car price is EGP 1.25m, with an engine size limit of 1600cc. Incentives are capped at 30% of the ex-factory price, up to EGP 150,000 per vehicle. Gas-powered vehicles must receive environmental compliance certification from an entity affiliated with the Ministry of Petroleum. To count as local content, at least 25% of the value must derive from genuine manufacturing or locally sourced components—not mere assembly. Both production and local content targets will rise over the programme's seven-year span. Incentives will be partially reduced if targets are missed, while manufacturers exceeding 35% local content will receive an additional EGP 5,000 for every 1% increase, beyond the capped amount. In priority development zones, companies producing over 100,000 fossil-fuel vehicles or 10,000 electric vehicles will be eligible for land cost reimbursement. These benefits complement existing customs and tax incentives granted under multiple legislations, including those governing customs duties, special economic zones, SMEs, VAT, property tax, and investment. Exporting companies may also benefit, as incentives are calculated based on total production, regardless of market destination. Additional bonuses will be awarded to firms that exceed programme targets. The new incentive calculation methodology, including examples, was explained during the meeting. Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib reiterated that the revised programme aims to establish a genuine automotive manufacturing base in Egypt. He pointed to the country's competitive advantages and said the amendments reflect the government's ambition to scale up both vehicle and component production. The Deputy Minister of Finance clarified that the incentives would be applied through a tax and customs offset mechanism, allowing manufacturers to use earned entitlements to settle dues, thereby streamlining the process. Some component producers called for strengthening the local supply chain—particularly for steel and panel materials used in car bodies—to reduce reliance on imports. In response, Al-Wazir directed that all producers of these materials be invited free of charge to a reverse exhibition to be held alongside the upcoming Industry and Transport Exhibition, which will link automakers with raw material suppliers to spur the growth of Egypt's automotive and electric vehicle sectors. Several vehicle manufacturers raised concerns about the need to ensure fair competition between locally assembled electric vehicles—which face import duties on components—and fully built electric vehicles that enter tariff-free. They also called for a reassessment of customs duties on production inputs. It was confirmed that these matters will be studied by the Ministries of Investment, Foreign Trade, and Finance to support local industry, particularly electric vehicle manufacturers.
Arab News
01-07-2025
- Arab News
Egyptian driver who killed 19 heads to trial as outrage grows over traffic safety
CAIRO: Egyptian prosecutors on Tuesday referred a driver to trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter after he crashed his truck into a minivan last week, killing 18 girls and their driver. Friday's crash on a newly constructed highway stirred up public outrage over the poor transportation safety record in the world's most populous Arab country. Many, including pro-government commentators and lawmakers, lashed out at the government and called for accountability. Most criticism was directed at Transportation Minister Kamel Al-Wazir, with some calling for his resignation. A statement from the office of chief prosecutor said the truck driver was accused of abusing drugs and driving the truck without a relevant license. Prosecutors also requested the court to initiate a misdemeanor procedure against the truck's owner for allowing the man to drive the vehicle while knowing that he didn't have the required license. The trial is scheduled to start on July 8, the statement said. The truck collided with a microbus — a mass transit minivan — on a highway in the Nile Delta city of Ashmoun. The microbus was carrying girls to a vineyard where they worked as informal laborers. Three other girls were injured in the crash, according to the Labor Ministry. The crash happened on part of the highway that was under maintenance. Deadly traffic accidents claim thousands of lives every year in Egypt, with many caused by speeding, bad roads or poor enforcement of traffic laws. Egypt's official statistics agency says 5,260 people died in road accidents last year, compared to 5,861 in 2023 — a 10.3 percent decrease. But 76,362 were injured in 2024, up from 71,016 the previous year — an increase of 7.5 percent.
Associated Press
01-07-2025
- Associated Press
Egyptian driver who killed 19 heads to trial as outrage grows over traffic safety
CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian prosecutors on Tuesday referred a driver to trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter after he crashed his truck into a minivan last week, killing 18 girls and their driver. Friday's crash on a newly constructed highway stirred up public outrage over the poor transportation safety record in the world's most populous Arab country. Many, including pro-government commentators and lawmakers, lashed out at the government and called for accountability. Most criticism was directed at Transportation Minister Kamel al-Wazir, with some calling for his resignation. A statement from the office of chief prosecutor said the truck driver was accused of abusing drugs and driving the truck without a relevant license. Prosecutors also requested the court to initiate a misdemeanor procedure against the truck's owner for allowing the man to drive the vehicle while knowing that he didn't have the required license. The trial is scheduled to start on July 8, the statement said. The truck collided with a microbus — a mass transit minivan — on a highway in the Nile Delta city of Ashmoun. The microbus was carrying girls to a vineyard where they worked as informal laborers. Three other girls were injured in the crash, according to the Labor Ministry. The crash happened on part of the highway that was under maintenance. Deadly traffic accidents claim thousands of lives every year in Egypt, with many caused by speeding, bad roads or poor enforcement of traffic laws. Egypt's official statistics agency says 5,260 people died in road accidents last year, compared to 5,861 in 2023 — a 10.3% decrease. But 76,362 were injured in 2024, up from 71,016 the previous year — an increase of 7.5%.
Zawya
24-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt forms mini committee to tackle customs evasion, support local industry
Egypt - Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Al-Wazir has ordered the formation of a mini committee to develop effective solutions for combating customs evasion—a practice that poses a growing threat to local industry, state revenues, and product quality in the Egyptian market. The committee, announced during the 26th meeting of the Ministerial Group for Industrial Development held Monday, will include representatives from the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, the Egyptian Customs Authority, the Organization for Standards and Quality, the General Organization for Export and Import Control, the Federation of Egyptian Industries, and a private-sector company owner. Its mandate is to formulate recommendations aimed at curbing customs evasion while safeguarding the interests of domestic manufacturers and improving market integrity. At the start of the meeting, Minister Al-Wazir reviewed the outcomes of his recent visit to the Abu Rawash Industrial Zone, which currently hosts 800 facilities and is expected to expand to 1,000. He highlighted the zone's most pressing challenge: inadequate basic infrastructure, which is hampering production and hindering operational efficiency. He called for urgent inter-ministerial cooperation—particularly from the Ministries of Housing and Irrigation—to upgrade infrastructure in the zone and expedite the establishment of a water and wastewater treatment plant. Approvals and permits for the plant have already been obtained, with financial allocations being finalised in coordination with the Giza Governorate. Al-Wazir also urged authorities to boost the zone's utilities capacity, particularly given the presence of major labour-intensive factories with export capabilities. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Communities has been tasked with preparing a detailed plan for the plant, to be presented at the next ministerial group meeting. The session also reviewed complaints from several Egyptian manufacturers of filtration systems regarding the negative impact of customs evasion on their operations. The discussion included a review of the automated classification and pricing mechanism currently employed by the Customs Authority, which determines reference prices for import valuation purposes. The group also assessed the status of three companies previously granted single industrial licences to establish factories in animal feed production, rubber recycling, and food packaging. These companies had exceeded the designated timelines for setting up their operations. Consequently, the committee approved the withdrawal of the allocated land and its reallocation to more committed investors, particularly in cases where land hoarding was evident. Minister Al-Wazir emphasised the need for a thorough evaluation of all future applicants for the single licence, ensuring that projects secure the necessary technical approvals and environmental clearances. He reaffirmed that such licences should be limited to strategic projects, and that all relevant agencies must issue approvals within specified timeframes. Additionally, the consolidated industrial committee will carry out regular inspections of projects granted the licence. The meeting also reviewed progress by the Arab Organization for Industrialization to localise the production of water pumps at its Engine Factory. The organisation has successfully manufactured water lifting pumps with 78% local content and split-case pumps with 80% local content, both approved by the National Authority for Potable Water and Sewage. Further advancements include the production of the first prototype of horizontal centrifugal pumps, and the assembly of additional pump types—such as submersible, horizontal, and vertical split-case pumps—in cooperation with international partners. These models incorporate local content ranging from 40% to 80%, marking a significant step towards import substitution and industrial self-reliance.
