The Madbouly cabinet has greenlit the establishment of the Garghoub Special Economic Zone in Matrouh, according to a statement following Thursday’s weekly meeting. The new general authority heading the zone will report directly to the Prime Minister, holding full jurisdiction over 402k feddans to establish companies and enter into public-private partnerships.

By granting Garghoub the special economic zone status, the state is giving it the same perks granted to the Suez Canal Economic Zone — companies operating there will benefit from reduced income taxes, a specialized customs regime for equipment and inputs, and a genuine “one-stop-shop” for licensing.

The big picture: Garghoub is being positioned as Egypt’s western gateway to Europe and this decree provides the legal certainty investors have been waiting for before committing to long-term projects.

Also approved at the cabinet last week

#1- A structural overhaul of the GOEIC: The General Organization for Export and Import Control is being transformed into a comprehensive technical coordinator. Its board will now include heads of the National Food Safety Authority, Customs Authority, and General Organization for Standards and Quality to unify inspection standards and slash customs clearance times.

#2- The cabinet greenlit the agreement between the Egyptian National Railways and Italy’s Arsenale Groupto operate and manage the luxury tourist train Guardian of the Nile, which will offer upscale travel experiences along the Nile Valley. The agreement first came to light in November.

#3- Easy visa extended: To boost off-season tourism, free emergency visas for arrivals at Luxor and Aswan airports will continue through the summer of 2027. The 96-hour free transit visa has also been extended until April 2027.

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