El-Khatib emphasized the importance of developing a clear
investment plan for tourism. The plan should outline investment opportunities
across Egypt and specify the number of hotel rooms targeted for addition in
various regions. The goal is to attract 30 million tourists by 2030 and double
that number in subsequent years.
He explained that the ministry is restructuring investment
procedures. Licensing authorities and fees are being consolidated into a single
digital platform. This will reduce burdens, streamline processes, shorten
timelines, and attract both local and foreign investment, especially in the
vital tourism sector.
El-Khatib highlighted the need to include diverse investment
models in the plan. Projects should receive prior approvals from relevant
authorities with defined implementation timelines. Streamlined partnerships
with the private sector should be encouraged. Legal incentives will be applied,
and the Golden License will be offered to developers and investors.
Fathy stated that stimulating investment in tourism requires
implementing prior approvals for project lands, accelerating procedures to
start operations, and standardizing fees for a set period. These measures will
encourage foreign direct investment and maximize the value of Egypt’s tourism
resources, ensuring their availability for future growth in the sector.
He added that the ministry aims to transform the current
investment map into a dynamic bank of opportunities. The plan will include a
complete package of procedures, legislation, and incentives that attract
investors while protecting the state’s rights. He stressed the need for clear
institutional procedures to implement the plan effectively.
El-Sherbiny emphasized the importance of accelerating land
licensing approvals for tourism projects. Approvals should be issued before
offering land to investors.
He also highlighted the need to strengthen public-private
partnerships for hotel projects. Land pricing should be transparent and fair.
Procedures must be streamlined and fees fixed to enable investors to prepare
clear feasibility studies.
At the end of the meeting, the ministers agreed to transform
Egypt’s goal of increasing tourist numbers into a national project aligned with
the political leadership’s priorities. They decided to form a working group
from the three ministries and affiliated agencies to develop a tourism
investment plan. The plan aims to triple tourist numbers in the coming years
and will include investment models, partnership frameworks, and strategies to
stimulate foreign investment in the sector.
The meeting was attended by Major General Nasser Fawzy, Head
of the National Center for Planning State Land Uses; Dr. Mustafa Munir, Head of
the General Authority for Tourism Development; Dr. Walid Abbas, Assistant
Minister of Housing and First Deputy Head of the New Urban Communities
Authority; Engineer Khaled Sorour, Assistant to the Deputy Head of the New
Urban Communities Authority; Mohamed Amer, Head of the Central Administration
for Hotel Establishments Control; Engineer Elham El-Sergany, Assistant Minister
of Housing for Strategic Affairs; Ahmed Nabil, Assistant Minister of Tourism
and Antiquities; Ghada Nour, Assistant Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade
for Investment, Promotion, and Government Offerings; and Nouran Osama, Senior
Economic Analyst at the Office of the Assistant Minister of Investment and
Foreign Trade for Investment, Promotion, and Government Offerings.