The Ministry's statement indicated that Egypt is implementing an ambitious plan to achieve balanced development across all regions, and that Upper Egypt will witness an exceptional shift in the concept of industrial investment. Industrial complexes equipped with infrastructure and logistical services are one way to support industrial development in Upper Egypt, making these governorates an attractive hub for local and foreign investment in various sectors.
Work is underway to complete the comprehensive development of the
infrastructure in preparation for the targeted investment boom in this region.
The statement indicated that the Ministry is currently preparing an exceptional
offering of vacant industrial units designated for small and medium-sized (SMEs)
enterprises in the three governorates (Qena, Luxor, and Aswan), to provide real
job opportunities for the people of Upper Egypt.
This will be launched in conjunction with Labor Day celebrations
(May 1), as part of the state's plan to stimulate the economy and reflect the
political leadership's directives to achieve comprehensive and sustainable
development, especially as Egypt is making steady progress toward making Upper
Egypt a successful model for industry and investment.
The statement also indicated that the industrial units to be offered
are ready for immediate operation and provide an ideal environment for SMEs manufacturers
to begin production immediately. These complexes enjoy unprecedented government
support, and the Ministry, through the Industrial Development Authority and its
affiliated entities, provides significant facilities to factories located
within the industrial complexes, most notably competitive prices for industrial
units, streamlined licensing procedures, the elimination of standard costs for
reviewing applications and submitting bids, and a significant reduction in the
price of the tender booklets.
This initiative reflects the political leadership's directives to
support SMEs enterprises through effective partnerships with the private sector
and overcoming all challenges facing investors. It added that Upper Egypt
governorates and their industrial complexes offer numerous competitive
advantages, as these complexes are strategically located near seaports (such as
Safaga), river ports, and major road networks (such as the Assiut-Safaga Road and
the Eastern Desert Road), in addition to the high-speed electric train network,
which reduces transportation costs and enhances export opportunities.
It added that investing in Upper Egypt represents a golden
opportunity, thanks to a range of dedicated investment incentives, the
availability of labor, and numerous raw materials suitable for establishing
specific industries. Furthermore, the competitive advantages of these
governorates can be leveraged to establish a range of specialized industries, which
can also strengthen local production chains and achieve industrial integration
with other governorates of the country.
The Ministry of Industry is keen to offer industrial lands in Upper Egypt and various governorates of the Republic via the digital platform. The offerings are being made at the actual cost of utilities, with installment plans, grace periods for payment, and procedural facilitations for obtaining the necessary licenses, in addition to providing technical support, marketing services, and training.
The state has adopted several initiatives in cooperation with its
international partners to develop Upper Egypt, most notably the Local
Development Program in Upper Egypt, funded by a loan from the World Bank. In
addition, the Egyptian government has achieved a qualitative leap in the
development of several industrial zones in the governorates of Qena and Sohag
(Qift, Ho, West Girga, and West Tahta). This is achieved by improving
governance and raising the efficiency of infrastructure, which enhances
investment attraction and contributes to achieving sustainable development
goals. Comprehensive strategic plans have also been prepared for each
industrial zone, based on environmental and community studies to ensure
compatibility with the governorate's needs. This is in addition to developing
infrastructure with investments amounting to EGP 8 billion.
The projects included upgrading the basic networks (water, sewage, electricity, roads, and firefighting), modernizing the technological infrastructure, establishing gas networks, and developing service facilities through the construction of administrative buildings and general site coordination.