APU to establish 16 commercial chains, modern markets in Egypt

Last updated: May 17, 2015 6:32 pm

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Six modern markets will be inaugurated this year in Cairo, 10 markets in other governorates will be completed in two years (Photo courtesy of Ministry of Supply)

By Rana Yehia

The Saudi Arabian grocery retailers Azizia Panda United (APU) are set to establish 16 commercial chains and modern markets in various Egyptian governorates, said Minister of Supply Khaled Hanafy.

The governorates include Cairo, Alexandria, Mansoura and Assiut, and the supermarkets will sell food and non-food commodities with special prices, Hanafy said in a statement following a meeting with the company Sunday.

After the meeting with APU’s Managing Director and CEO in Egypt, Mowafaq Jamal, and Egyptian officials, Hanafy affirmed that the commercial chains include six modern markets in Cairo located in Abbaseya, the 5^th Settlement and 6th of October City, to be inaugurated throughout this year, as well as the establishment of 10 markets in other governorates to be finished in 24 months.

During the meeting, land parcels owned by the Internal Trade Development Authority (ITDA), affiliated to the Ministry of Supply, was offered to investment.

Land parcels are located in many governorates, with 64 acres in Daqahleya, 82 acres in Gharbeya, 96 acres in Beheira, 43 acres in the industrial zone in Beni Suef, 26 acres in Luxor, 16 acres in Fayoum, 25 acres in Assiut, 63 acres in the industrial zone of Port Said, 120 acres in New Aswan, 50 acres in Abo Khalifa in Ismailia, 100 acres in the free zone in Ismailia, and 12 acres in Zagazig, Sharqeya.

The meeting also dealt with the ability of the 43 subsidiaries of the Food Industries Holding Company (FIHC) to provide the food products required by APU to sell in its markets and commercial chains.

The application of the franchise system by APU on some or all of the rationed grocery shops, which amount to a total of 25,000 all over Egypt, also took place in the meeting discussions.

APU is considered one of the most important organisations in the retail sector in Saudi Arabia, specialising in food products, and is a subsidiary of food producer Savola Group.

The Minister of Supply stated earlier this year the ministry’s intention to establish thousands of outlets selling food and non-food commodities to citizens at affordable prices to all social categories.