The Minister of Industry and Transport follows up on the achievements of the industrial development program in Qena Governorate
The Minister of Industry and Transport follows up on the achievements of the industrial development program in Qena Governorate
Based on the state’s keenness to achievecomprehensive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) linked to the economic dimension, such as the ninth goal on industry, innovation and infrastructure, it works to achieve balanced regional industrial development and boost industrial growth rates in promising regions, especially the governorates of Upper Egypt.
The efforts made include a series of inspection tours in the governorates, to follow up on the infrastructure development projects being implemented in Upper Egypt. To identify the achievements achieved within the local development program, and to ensure the readiness of industrial areas to receive new investments.
Industrial development in Qena Governorate
In this context, the team, Engineer Kamel Al-Wazir, “Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport,” inspected the “Qift” and “Ho” industrial zones in Qena Governorate. In order to ensure the readiness of the industrial zones to receive new investments, the minister was accompanied during the tour by Dr. Khaled Abdel Halim, Governor of Qena, Dr. Nahed Youssef, President of the General Authority for Industrial Development, and a number of leaders from the Ministries of Industry and Local Development and representatives of companies implementing the utility work.
There, the Minister stressed the importance of supporting industrial zones, especially in the governorates of Upper Egypt, and completing the facility work in them at the highest level of quality and international standards, in line with the urgent plan to advance industry, deepen local manufacturing, and increase exports, by providing a competitive investment climate that provides serious investors with real opportunities for growth and industrial expansion.
Qift Industrial Zone
At the beginning of his tour, General Al-Wazir inspected the “Qift” industrial zone, which is built on an area of 406 acres. It is an industrial zone that includes 571 industrial plots of land, of which 477 plots have been allocated for various projects, with an occupancy rate of 84%.
The industrial activities in the region are diverse and include the food, engineering, chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, and textile sectors. It is also distinguished by its strategic location and direct connection to a number of main axes, most notably the Qift-Qusayr road and the Eastern Desert Road.
In addition to its proximity to the city of Qift, 7 km away, and its easy connection to various transportation ports; It is 195 km from the Safaga seaport, 50 km from Luxor International Airport, and 7 km from the high-speed train station in the city of Qus.
During the inspection, the executive position of the region was reviewed; All basic utility works related to water, drainage, electricity, fire and natural gas networks have been completed by 100%, and the completion rates of roads - 15.4 km long - and service facilities and buildings have reached 95%.
Formation of an investors’ association for each industrial zone
Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir pointed out the necessity of forming an investors’ association for each industrial zone to undertake its management and the receipt and maintenance of its internal facilities in coordination with the concerned authorities, in a way that contributes to raising the efficiency of the industrial zone, maintaining the sustainability of its facilities, and making it easier for investors.
He also stressed the importance of cooperation between the region’s investors and the Department of Productive Efficiency and Vocational Training to establish an industrial development school for labor training. In order to meet the region's needs for trained and qualified technical workers, he directed the establishment of a goods shipping station inside the high-speed train station in the city of Qus. To serve the industrial areas in Qena.
He called on the region’s investors to move towards using renewable energy sources - such as solar energy and wind energy - in manufacturing processes, based on the fact that achieving industrial development is closely linked to preserving the climate and reducing harmful carbon emissions.
Ho Industrial Zone
In the same context, the Minister of Industry and Transport headed to the Ho Industrial Zone, an area of about 426 acres, which includes various industrial activities including food, engineering, chemical, metal, spinning and weaving industries, as well as 550 industrial plots of land. The plots allocated to the area amounted to 375 plots with an occupancy rate of 68%.
During the tour, the executive position of the utility works in the region was reviewed, as the electricity, water and gas connection works were completed, and the road and construction works and the furnishing of administrative and service buildings were 98% completed.
The Ho industrial zone is located in a strategic location. It is connected to a number of major traffic axes, the most important of which are the “Ho-Rabbaniyeh” road, the western road, and the “Qena-Nag Hammadi” road, in addition to its proximity to the city of Naga Hammadi, 15 km away, and the village of Baraka, 5 km away. It is also connected to a number of sea ports, including: Safaga Port, 240 km away, and Quseir Port, 230 km away. This supports opportunities to attract investments and enhance the industrialization movement in Qena Governorate.
The region also includes an integrated industrial complex for small projects, which was established by the General Authority for Industrial Development on an area of 74 acres. It includes 420 industrial units, of which 338 are allocated units, with an allocation rate of 80%. The complex is considered a center for achieving industrial development in the governorate, as it provides opportunities and fully-constructed industrial units and facilities.
Water purification stations in the two regions
Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir was keen to inspect the water purification station in the “Qift” industrial zone, after completing its expansion work with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters, and inspected the new purification station in the “Ho” industrial zone, after its construction with a capacity of 21,000 cubic meters per day, to meet the needs of the two regions for treated water in a way that ensures the sustainability of the production process and achieves industrial development in accordance with the required environmental standards.
There, the minister urged factory workers to make an effort to advance the Egyptian industry, praising the rates of completion of utility work and the quality of products. The minister stressed that Qena Governorate is now ready to receive major local and foreign investments.
From the above, we can see that the state is continuing its plan to develop its industrial sector, overcome potential obstacles facing investors, and localize industries in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030. Which reflects the success of local development programs in Upper Egypt.
Therefore,The Earth Guards Foundationsees that the success of the “Qift” and “Ho” industrial zones in Qena Governorate is a model of achieving comprehensive sustainable development, the goals of which all ensure prosperity for current and future generations.
