{"id":672199,"date":"2025-09-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2025\/09\/21\/govt-to-grant-firms-operating-in-the-planned-russian-industrial-zone-decades-of-incentives\/"},"modified":"2025-09-21T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-21T00:00:00","slug":"govt-to-grant-firms-operating-in-the-planned-russian-industrial-zone-decades-of-incentives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2025\/09\/21\/govt-to-grant-firms-operating-in-the-planned-russian-industrial-zone-decades-of-incentives\/","title":{"rendered":"Gov\u2019t to grant firms operating in the planned Russian Industrial Zone decades of incentives"},"content":{"rendered":"

INVESTMENT WATCH-<\/p>\n

Russia locks in decades of incentives for its industrial zone: <\/strong>Russian companies operating in the planned Russian Industrial Zone<\/a> will benefit from major tax and customs breaks fixed for 49 years under a new intergovernmental agreement, Russian state media RT<\/a> reports, citing Russian Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Roman Chekushov. His remarks came following a recent high-level Russian delegation trip to Egypt<\/a> \u2014 the zone, set to launch operations in 2030, was the main focus of the trip. <\/p>\n

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links <\/strong>to our background as well as external sources.)<\/p>\n

Gateway for Russian exports to Africa and beyond:<\/strong> Chekushov said the zone\u2019s Gulf of Suez location offers developed infrastructure, links to the Suez-Hurghada highway and nearby rail, and access to more than 70 preferential trade agreements signed by Egypt. Priority sectors include mechanical engineering, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharma, and medical equipment \u2014 areas where Russian exporters see growing African demand, particularly for chemicals. <\/p>\n

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M&A-<\/p>\n

Premium Healthcare to acquire Upper Egypt\u2019s largest lab chain:<\/strong> Premium Healthcare Group plans to acquire 100% of Elesraa Lab<\/a>, a lab operator with 21 branches across Upper Egypt, in a EGP 150 mn transaction, Premium Healthcare Vice Chairman Beshoy George told EnterpriseAM. About EGP 135 mn of the purchase price will be covered by creditor balances and the remaining EGP 15 mn through the company\u2019s own funds. The acquisition is part of Premium Healthcare\u2019s wider strategy to expand its footprint in Egypt.<\/p>\n

More in the pipeline:<\/strong> Premium Healthcare is also in talks to acquire radiology center Mega Scan, which operates four branches in Egypt.<\/p>\n

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ENERGY- <\/p>\n

The governm<\/strong>ent awarded Canadian oil and gas company Mediterra Energy <\/strong>an oil <\/strong>exploration concession in the North Baraka area<\/strong>, Asharq Business<\/a> reports, citing an unnamed government official. The company is expected to ink an agreement with EGPC subsidiary South Valley Egyptian Petroleum Holding Company (Ganope) to drill three new wells in the area near Aswan in 4Q 2025. <\/p>\n

REGULATIONS-<\/p>\n

FRA cracks down on misuse of consumer loans:<\/strong> The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has ordered the Federation of Consumer Finance to compile a blacklist of companies, brokers, customers and staff involved in turning consumer loans into cash, according to a statement<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Consumer finance firms will be required to stop dealing with anyone found to be <\/strong>engaged in the practice<\/strong> and take legal action against employees proven to be involved. The FRA is also mandating that the federation set up an electronic link with the authority to share data on offenders, aiming to improve oversight and transparency and to ensure loans are used for their intended purposes.<\/p>\n

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AVIATION- <\/p>\n

Egypt<\/strong>Air Holding subsidiaries<\/strong> inked a number of MoUs with <\/strong>Abu<\/a><\/strong>Dhabi Aviation Group<\/a><\/strong> (ADA) companies<\/strong>, according to a statement<\/a> from the Civil Aviation Ministry. The agreements include:<\/p>\n