Latest news with #MinisterialGroupforIndustrialDevelopment
Daily News Egypt
21-07-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt to establish three private free zone factories for PVC panels, textiles with $216.5m in investments
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.
Daily News Egypt
23-06-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt forms mini committee to tackle customs evasion, support local industry
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.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Egypt's Deputy PM directs authorities to enforce European charging protocol for EVs
Egypt - Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, chaired the 24th meeting of the Ministerial Group for Industrial Development, attended by ministers responsible for military production, electricity, public enterprises, local development, housing, and petroleum. The meeting focused on key amendments to the National Program for the Development of the Automotive Industry. These amendments introduce expanded incentives designed to boost local value addition, increase production volumes, attract new investments, promote environmental sustainability, and support development in priority regions. The revised framework will be submitted to the Prime Minister and, subsequently, to President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi for approval. A major point of discussion was the adoption of a unified charging protocol for electric vehicles. Al-Wazir instructed the relevant authorities to issue clear directives requiring importers—both commercial agents and individuals—to adhere to the European charging standard. This move aims to ensure national compatibility, safety, and technical efficiency across Egypt's EV infrastructure. The meeting also reviewed a request by ElSewedy Electric to allocate 22.6 feddans of land in the Mansha'at Kamal area in Fayoum Governorate—near the Japanese Yazaki automotive wiring factory—to establish a manufacturing complex for various electrical wiring systems. The group approved the proposal, with Al-Wazir describing the project as 'promising' due to its proximity to the second line of Egypt's high-speed electric train network and integration with existing infrastructure and projects. Al-Wazir stressed the importance of ensuring that all projects seeking Golden Licenses first secure technical and industrial feasibility approvals. He advocated for expedited processing of strategic projects and highlighted the inclusion of the head of the Industrial Development Authority on the Investment Authority's board to enhance oversight and governance. These steps, he said, align with the government's broader vision to foster sustainable industrial development and ensure proper licensing in accordance with Cabinet directives. Golden Licenses will only be issued after thorough ministerial review. The meeting also addressed the need to enhance regulatory oversight of both locally produced and imported goods—from factories and ports to retail outlets. The goal is to ensure product quality, protect consumers, and strengthen the global reputation of Egyptian products. To that end, the ministers emphasized greater coordination between the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality, the Industrial Control Authority, and the General Organization for Export and Import Control to harmonize regulations with international standards. Additionally, the group discussed advancing Egypt's pump manufacturing industry through localization of technology, enforcing national specifications—particularly for fire pumps—and developing local testing laboratories. These efforts are expected to reduce production costs, create jobs, and enhance Egypt's industrial competitiveness on a regional and global scale. © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Daily News Egypt
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily News Egypt
Al-Wazir directs authorities to enforce European charging protocol for EVs
Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, chaired the 24th meeting of the Ministerial Group for Industrial Development, attended by ministers responsible for military production, electricity, public enterprises, local development, housing, and petroleum. The meeting focused on key amendments to the National Program for the Development of the Automotive Industry. These amendments introduce expanded incentives designed to boost local value addition, increase production volumes, attract new investments, promote environmental sustainability, and support development in priority regions. The revised framework will be submitted to the Prime Minister and, subsequently, to President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi for approval. A major point of discussion was the adoption of a unified charging protocol for electric vehicles. Al-Wazir instructed the relevant authorities to issue clear directives requiring importers—both commercial agents and individuals—to adhere to the European charging standard. This move aims to ensure national compatibility, safety, and technical efficiency across Egypt's EV infrastructure. The meeting also reviewed a request by ElSewedy Electric to allocate 22.6 feddans of land in the Mansha'at Kamal area in Fayoum Governorate—near the Japanese Yazaki automotive wiring factory—to establish a manufacturing complex for various electrical wiring systems. The group approved the proposal, with Al-Wazir describing the project as 'promising' due to its proximity to the second line of Egypt's high-speed electric train network and integration with existing infrastructure and projects. Al-Wazir stressed the importance of ensuring that all projects seeking Golden Licenses first secure technical and industrial feasibility approvals. He advocated for expedited processing of strategic projects and highlighted the inclusion of the head of the Industrial Development Authority on the Investment Authority's board to enhance oversight and governance. These steps, he said, align with the government's broader vision to foster sustainable industrial development and ensure proper licensing in accordance with Cabinet directives. Golden Licenses will only be issued after thorough ministerial review. The meeting also addressed the need to enhance regulatory oversight of both locally produced and imported goods—from factories and ports to retail outlets. The goal is to ensure product quality, protect consumers, and strengthen the global reputation of Egyptian products. To that end, the ministers emphasized greater coordination between the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality, the Industrial Control Authority, and the General Organization for Export and Import Control to harmonize regulations with international standards. Additionally, the group discussed advancing Egypt's pump manufacturing industry through localization of technology, enforcing national specifications—particularly for fire pumps—and developing local testing laboratories. These efforts are expected to reduce production costs, create jobs, and enhance Egypt's industrial competitiveness on a regional and global scale.
