MANUFACTURING-

#1- The Madbouly government is planning to offer two new cement production licenses before the end of 2025 to boost capacity and curb local price increases, Asharq Business reports, citing three unnamed government officials. Each license will include a full production line that will add between 1.5-2 mn tons in annual output.

The move aims to meet growing domestic and regional demand amid an expected uptick in reconstruction projects across the region. Industry insiders expect local cement consumption to rise to around 52 mn tons by the end of 2025 — up from 47 mn tons last year — supported by higher construction activity and stronger market demand.

REMEMBER- The Industry Ministry announced that factories increasing output this month will receive one-time discounts on fees tied to amendments in their production-capacity licenses, aiming to encourage higher utilization, stabilize prices, and ensure adequate domestic supply. The move follows a July directive that gave cement factories one month to restart idle production lines as part of efforts to balance supply and demand in the local market.

#2- Turkey’s Kipas Textiles plans to set up a USD 100 mn integrated denim fabric production complex in Sadat City. The project is part of the company’s efforts to expand its presence in Egypt.

REMEMBER-Egypt has been in talks with the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers’ Association to attract new investments in garment supplies and accessories, with a Turkish business delegation planning to visit Egypt before the end of the year to explore establishing new factories to serve local and export markets.

BANKING-

CIB is planning to apply for a digital banking license early next year, Chairman Hisham Ezz Al Arab told Al Arabiya. He added that it will not take long to obtain the license as the bank has been working on developing its platform for over a year.

Everyone is lining up to get a digital banking license: QNB got the greenlight to establish the new digital bank EZBank earlier this month, Banque Misr’s Misr Digital Innovation received approval from the CBE to transform into the country’s first fully digital-native bank onebank, and Raya Holding is planning on applying for a digital banking license by the end of the year.

REAL ESTATE-

Downtown Cairo-focused Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment has launched the TamaraHaus project to restore a historic Neo-Renaissance building in Downtown Cairo, originally built in the early 20th century, according to a statement. The building will be managed and operated by Alchemy Group’s Alchemy Experience and will serve as a cultural and lifestyle hub.

The details: Alchemy Experience invested around EGP 200 mn in the property over the past two years. The redevelopment will feature a boutique hotel, restaurant, and fitness studio, Ismaelia Chairman Karim Shafei said at a press conference attended by EnterpriseAM yesterday.

The developer expects to complete its capital increase by the end of this year or during the first quarter of 2026, according to Shafei. The capital hike is expected to accelerate the company’s investment plan to acquire new assets and develop several of its buildings in Downtown Cairo. The plan also includes developing 150-200 hotel units within two years, Shafei added.

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