Egypt and Oman Explore Joint Industrial Zones to Boost Bilateral Integration IDA Chairperson Hosts High-Level Omani Delegation to Review Investment Opportunities and Industrial Partnerships
- Proposals under discussion for two joint industrial zones operating on the industrial developer model in Egypt and Oman to launch a phase of economic integration.
- Omani delegation inspects manufacturing operations, pharmaceutical facilities, and industrial developer zones in 10th of Ramadan City.
Dr. Nahed Youssef, Chairperson of the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), received a high-level Omani delegation led by H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ). The meeting, held at IDA headquarters as part of the delegation's expanded itinerary in Egypt, focused on scaling up economic cooperation, sharing institutional expertise, and evaluating Egypt’s industrial developer framework to advance joint investment opportunities.
Key attendees included Eng. Hazem Anan, Vice Chairman of IDA; Eng. Salem Al Dhuhli, CEO of Khazaen Economic City; Eng. Dawood Al Hadabi, CEO of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn); Eng. Ahmed Akaak, CEO of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm; along with senior executive leadership from IDA.
Dr. Youssef highlighted the strategic depth of Egyptian-Omani relations, noting that Minister of Industry Eng. Khaled Hashem issued directives to provide full institutional support to the Omani delegation. She emphasized Egypt's readiness to transfer knowledge in industrial park setup, management, and the private developer model to strengthen regional supply chains and bilateral trade flows.
Outlining IDA's core mandate, Dr. Youssef reviewed the Egyptian government's procedural reforms designed to streamline industrial investments, ease operations for private enterprises, and incentivize priority manufacturing sectors. The chairperson underscored the success of Egypt's industrial developer model, noting that the country now features 26 developer-led zones managed by 12 international and domestic firms, spanning nearly 40 million square meters.
A central outcome of the talks was the proposal to establish paired special industrial zones, one in Egypt and another in Oman, to foster cross-border industrial synergies and cement the trade partnership between the two nations.
H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef commended Egypt’s rapid industrial and infrastructure transformation, confirming Oman’s intent to expand economic ties and leverage Egyptian expertise in specialized city management and infrastructure modernization.
Al Yousef stated that the visit aims to establish a clear list of priority strategic sectors to unlock direct integration based on mutual market demand. He called for concrete recommendations and an actionable implementation roadmap to guide the next phase of collaboration. He added that OPAZ remains Oman's primary entity for industrial city development, currently overseeing 24 investment zones—16 operational and 8 under active development.
Following executive talks, the Omani delegation guided by Eng. Hazem Anan and senior IDA officials undertook a field inspection in the10th of Ramadan City.
The itinerary featured a visit to the El Sewedy Industrial Developer Zone, a 1.1-million-square-meter complex hosting roughly 40 manufacturing facilities across engineering, heavy equipment, food processing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and logistics. The delegation was received by Eng. Mohamed Al Kammah, CEO of the developer zone.
The delegation also toured Iskraemeco’s 50,000-square-meter facility, which employs 850 staff and specializes in smart and prepaid electricity meters as well as smart water meters.
To conclude the tour, the delegation inspected two major facilities within the 10th of Ramadan industrial cluster: Pioneer Pharmaceutical Industries (Pioneer Pharma): A 78-million-EGP enterprise specializing in pharmaceutical preparations and injectable antibiotics, servicing the domestic market and exporting to Yemen, Iraq, Libya, and Sudan. The delegation was hosted by Dr. Mohie Hafez, Chairman of Pioneer Pharma and Chair of the Medical Industries Export Council. Al Amal Al Shareef Plastics: A 796-million-EGP manufacturer producing specialized plastic piping and fittings for local construction and export markets including Iraq, Tunisia, and Morocco. The delegation was received by Dr. Eng. Mohamed Zein El Abideen, Chairman of the company.