The Egyptian government approved the establishment of three new private freezone projects in Beni Suef, New Alamein, and 10th of Ramadan, according to a cabinet statement released on Thursday. The projects, with a combined investment of more than USD 207 mn, are expected to add over 15k jobs, deepen local supply chains, and expand Egypt’s footprint in global textiles and building materials value chains, with 100% of production earmarked for export.
#1- Lead New Material — owned by China’s Kentier Group — will invest USD 108.9 mn in a factory in New Alamein to produce PVC flooring, panels, doors, windows, and more. The factory will employ 2.1k workers and is expected to start operations in March 2026. All output will be exported, with a local component ratio of at least 30% from the start of production.
#2- Global textiles giant Alpine Group will invest USD 78.5 mn to establish a textiles factory in 10th of Ramadan, focusing on socks and garments. The project, under the name Alpine Egytex Textile Industries, will employ 4k workers, 3.9k of whom are Egyptians, and aims to raise the local input ratio from 30% at launch to 50% within five years. The facility is expected to go online within 18 months.
#3- Alpine Group’s Egypt arm Alex Apparels will build a USD 20 mn ready-made garments factory in Beni Suef’s medium industries zone. The facility will produce 40 mn garments annually, use 30% local inputs, and create 9k jobs. The company plans to rely on Egyptian cotton and skilled local labor to boost competitiveness.
About private freezones: Current regulations require private freezone projects to export atleast 80% of the production, with the possibility of exceptions for projects with “special strategic importance.” They also require that local components account for 30% of the production. Last year, it was reported that Egypt is preparing amendments to the regulation that would raise the exports and local components requirements to 100% and 70%, respectively.