SCZone inks land usufruct agreement for Kemet Data Center: The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) signed a land usufruct agreement with Intro Group that gives it access to a plot in the Sokhna Industrial Zone to set up the USD 450 mn Kemet Data Center, according to a cabinet statement.

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Fresh details emerge: During a meeting withPrime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, Intro Group representatives said that the project will be expanded to include four phases each with a capacity of 20 MW, pushing its price tag at USD 1 bn.

And we have a completion date: The project is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2030, Madbouly said.

An export-oriented center: The project will target exporting cloud solutions and digital services to markets abroad, specifically in the Middle East and Africa.

Opening the door for more data centers: Madbouly noted that Egypt remains interested in attracting greater investment in data centers through simpler procedures, more incentives, and a better-equipped workforce

REFRESHER- We first heard about the big-ticket project back in September, after Intro Technology signed a MoU with Omani data center leader Oman Data Park to establish the Kemet Data Center on 80k sqm in the SCZone. The partially solar-powered center will serve large companies looking for cost-effective and advanced cloud solutions, Internet of Things (IoT), and digital transformation.

Also onboard: Data center engineering leader Sterling and Wilson Data Center will act as theproject’s EPC contractor, overseeing design, budgeting, timeline management, and systems testing and accreditation. The firm will also maintain the facility for 3-5 years after the project’s completion.

MANUFACTURING HONEYWELL LIGHTING PRODUCTS LOCALLY-

Siraj Lightning to manufacture Honeywell Lighting products locally: Egypt’s SirajLighting signed a USD 15 mn agreement with electric lighting equipment manufacturer Vesra — a Honeywell authorized licensee — to produce Honeywell lighting products in its factory in the the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), according to a cabinet statement.

The details: Siraj will be producing indoor and outdoor lighting for use in commercial, residential, and industrial settings, with plans to export 30% of output during the first phase of the project.

Lowering the import bill: The project will create new jobs, foster economic growth, and increase exports, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said at the agreement’s signing.

** Earlier this week we ran an Inside Industry on Egypt’s efforts to localize 152 industries by 2030 through offering support for factories and improving the technical capabilities of industry.

TWO TURKISH COMPANIES LOOKING TO SET UP SHOP IN EGYPT-

USD 360 mn worth of Turkish investments? One Turkish ready-made garments maker is looking to invest USD 160 mn to set up a factory in the Tenth of Ramadan and another is looking to set up a USD 200 mn furniture factory in Damietta’s freezone, according to a statement. This came during Investment Minister Hassan El Khatib visit to Turkey aimed at boosting trade and investment relations between the two nations.

That’s not all: A Turkish retail player told Al Khatib that it is looking to expand its Egyptian footprint, setting up an additional 600 branches on top of its already existing 400.

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