{"id":553025,"date":"2022-10-16T13:24:10","date_gmt":"2022-10-16T13:24:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/inside_industry\/enterprise-explains-golden-licenses-for-industry\/"},"modified":"2022-10-16T13:24:10","modified_gmt":"2022-10-16T13:24:10","slug":"enterprise-explains-golden-licenses-for-industry","status":"publish","type":"inside_industry","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/inside_industry\/enterprise-explains-golden-licenses-for-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Enterprise Explains: Golden licenses for industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a> The Enterprise guide to GAFI\u2019s golden licenses:<\/strong> Introduced in the Investment Act, which was passed in 2017<\/a>, golden licenses create a streamlined process to set up new industrial and infrastructure projects that fit a certain list of requirements and criteria. The licenses \u2014 also known as \u201csingle approval licenses\u201d \u2014 allow some investors to obtain one single approval that covers everything from establishing the project, including land allocation and building licensing, through to the operation and management of the project, according to a guide (pdf)<\/a> from the General Authority for Freezones and Investment (GAFI)<\/p>\n

The license doesn\u2019t exempt anyone from any requirements \u2014 it just crunches it all down to a one-stop-shop:<\/strong> Investment projects eligible for these licenses remain compliant with all the usual regulatory requirements from various government entities. The critical difference is that investors go through a much simpler, more streamlined process that cuts down on the time and trouble of seeking out individual approvals from each of the entities. Real estate and construction requirements are all part of the singular license. In other words, once you\u2019ve got a golden license in your hands, you\u2019re good to go.<\/p>\n

Who gets access? <\/strong>Companies working on national projects, projects that are so-called strategically valuable<\/a>, or those that generally fall in line with the government\u2019s countrywide development initiative will be given preferential access to the licensing scheme. That generally refers to private sector players working on public utilities, infrastructure, renewables, roads, transport and ports.<\/p>\n

Getting top priority for now:<\/strong> Green hydrogen facilities, EV manufacturers, water desalination projects and renewable energy producers will be the most prioritized industries eligible for the new licensing system, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly has said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are some more specific eligibility guidelines outlined by the government. <\/strong>Projects need to meet at least two of the following criteria:<\/p>\n