Prime Minister Sherif Ismail has formed a commission concerned with preparing a list of lands ready for the establishment of commercial chains, set to be compiled and presented within 48 hours.
In addition, the commission will implement a mechanism for the allocation of land and operation licences for those chains, so as accelerate the procedures for investors and stimulate domestic trade.
According to a cabinet statement on Saturday, the commission is chaired by the Minister of Supply with membership from representatives of the Ministries of Defence, Local Development, Interior, Environment, Housing, Electricity, and Antiquities.
Ismail met with representatives of the formed commission, on Saturday, to further discuss the establishment of commercial chains and to increase the number of food distribution outlets, as part of state policy to control prices and provide quality service to citizens.
Cabinet spokesperson Hossam El-Kawish said the commission chose the domestic trade development authority of the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade to take responsiblity for the daily oversight of the initiative.
Governors will be responsible for executing the allocations of land and issuance of licences, in order to facilitate the procedure and review identified lands with concerned agencies and ministries.
During the meeting, the prime minister signalled the need to accelerate the establishment of a large number of commercial chains over a period ranging from six months to a year in Greater Cairo, Alexandria, and other governorates, with emphasis on Upper Egypt.
According to El-Kawish, the move comes in accordance with the implementation of the social justice programme to raise living standards and provide all food commodities at affordable prices. All concerned ministries and agencies will cooperate to facilitate the procedures for obtaining construction licences, in accordance with civil protection and controls and traffic regulation.
According to Minister of Supply Khaled Hanafy, determining the parties specialised in issuing licences will be vital to the expediency of the process as their familiarity with the bureaucratic structure of the various ministries will allow them to overcome obstacles that face investors.
Minister of Housing Mustafa Madbouly proposed 45 locations for large commercial chains in new cities ready to be presented to investors immediately. The smallest area is five acres. The locations include three units in New Cairo, two in Shourouk, two in 15th of May City, three in 6th of October City, three in Sheikh Zayed, two in New Damietta, two in New Tiba, two in El Sadat, two in New Sohag, and three in Borg Al Arab.
Moreover, there are two locations in New Assiut, three in Badr City, four in Obour City, three in Beni Suef, three in 10th of Ramadan City, one in New Fayoum and another in New Qena.
Madbouly said all these locations meet the required conditions for investment, as concluded by the necessary studies and permit conditions.
