The government set 709 pieces of land and 366 outlets available to launch as projects in the internal trade sector, especially commercial chains, according to Minister of Supply Khaled Hanafi.
The required procedures and regulations will be undertaken in a very short period, Hanafi said during a meeting with Prime Minister Sherif Ismail Saturday. These procedures will work on preparing these locations for the execution of the commercial chains project.
According to a source in the Ministry of Supply, the 709 pieces of land are distributed throughout all governorates; 13 are in Cairo, 51 in Giza, three in Qena, 22 in the Red Sea, 17 in Luxor, 15 in Aswan, 11 in Qaliubiya, seven in Alexandria, eight in Gharbeya, 114 in Daqahleya, 18 in Ismailia, 31 in Sohag, 10 in Port Said, three in Menufia, five in Minya, and 69 in Kafr El-Sheikh.
There are also 50 in Sharqeya, 18 in Fayyoum, seven in Beni Suef, 44 in Assiut, one in Suez, 41 in Beheira, 11 in Matruh, one in New Valley, 61 in North Sinai, 62 in Damietta, seven in South Sinai, and one in each of Halayeb and Shalateen.
Hanafi explained that the total 366 outlets are distributed throughout all the governorates as well. The Internal Trade Development Authority (ITDA) was entrusted to be the only body responsible for completing the licensing procedures. This is expected to facilitate the process for the investors and eliminate bureaucracy.
He said the commercial chains project is part of the state’s efforts to provide major commodities and reduce prices. Developing the internal trade and logistics sector is necessary to develop all the production sectors, whether agricultural or industrial.
This is in addition to its capacity to achieve a reduction in production cost and prices and be the largest generator of jobs throughout governorates. It also attracts foreign investment through major international chains that will export Egyptian products to their branches abroad and train Egyptian labour to work abroad.
During the meeting, Ismail said the government is determined to eliminate bureaucracy and facilitate procedures for investors to set up the commercial chain projects.
Ismail said the establishment’s aim is to break the monopolies and offer goods to citizens at high quality and suitable prices in keeping with the principle of social justice.
Ismail emphasised the need to finalise all procedures to be submitted to the investor in the internal trade and logistics sector to begin work on the project immediately.
