Chairman of the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) Nahed Youssef met with a high-level Omani delegation headed by Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise, as well as to learn about Egypt’s experience in developing and managing industrial zones and implementing the “industrial developer” model.
Youssef underscored the depth of the relations and strategic partnership between Egypt and Oman, noting the directives of Industry Minister Khaled Hashem to provide all forms of support and assistance to the Omani side and to exchange and transfer Egyptian expertise in establishing, managing and developing industrial zones, particularly Egypt’s “industrial developer” experience.
She said this would contribute to industrial integration, strengthen supply chains and increase trade and exports between the two countries. Youssef reviewed the authority’s role in supporting industrial investment, as well as the package of procedural reforms adopted by the Egyptian government to create an attractive investment environment by providing incentives and facilitations to the private industrial sector, in addition to incentives supporting priority industries.
Youssef highlighted the success of Egypt’s “industrial developer” model in partnership with the private sector, noting that Egypt currently has 26 industrial zones operating under the industrial developer model, managed by 12 international and local development companies, with a total area of approximately 40 million square meters.
The meeting also discussed a proposal to establish two joint industrial zones, one in Egypt and the other in Oman, under the “industrial developer” model. The initiative aims to achieve industrial integration between the two zones, boost joint investments and represent a new step toward strengthening economic partnership and industrial cooperation between the two countries.
For his part, chairman of OPAZ praised the industrial and developmental progress witnessed in Egypt, stressing Oman’s keenness to open broader avenues for economic and industrial cooperation with Egypt and benefit from Egyptian expertise in managing specialized industrial cities and developing industrial-zone infrastructure.
He said the visit aims to identify a list of strategic and priority sectors and industries in order to examine opportunities for direct cooperation and integration based on the needs and capabilities of both countries. He stressed the importance of concluding the discussions with practical recommendations and an actionable plan that would support the joint economic partnership.
He explained that OPAZ is one of Oman’s oldest institutions specializing in the development, establishment and operation of industrial cities. The authority oversees 24 investment zones, including 16 existing zones and eight others under construction and development.
The visit comes as part of the two countries’ shared efforts to strengthen industrial and investment cooperation, exchange expertise and benefit from successful experiences on both sides, contributing to industrial integration, supporting joint investments and enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian and Omani products in regional and international markets.