The meeting follows the approval of a plan by the Ministerial Group for Industrial Development to establish four new public free zones. The new zones, located in the 10th of Ramadan, New October, New Borg El Arab, and New Alamein areas, aim to meet high demand after the nine existing free zones reached 95% occupancy.
Hossam Heiba, GAFI's CEO, stated that production from the
new zones would be entirely export-oriented to help achieve the Ministry of
Investment and Foreign Trade's target of $140 billion in exports by 2030. The
strategy is also intended to avoid competition with domestic businesses, ensure
fair investment practices, and focus green transition efforts on export
sectors.
Heiba added that the new free zones are expected to become
operational by the end of 2026. GAFI will collaborate with the New Urban
Communities Authority to accelerate infrastructure development. Additionally,
discussions are underway to activate three more public free zones, which would
bring the total to 16.
Attendees agreed to form a working group with representatives from all industrial sectors to further develop the free zone system and achieve its goals.