President Hosni Mubarak has issued a presidential decree allocating 10 new industrial zones for the Ministry of Trade and Industry on 7500 kilometers in six provinces and the Upper Egypt-Red Sea Road. The decree No. 358, which was issued last December 23, said these areas are fully owned by the state and will be used in industrial activities for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which has full authority to oversee, use and develop this land. The decree, which was issued on the basis of a memo by the National Center for State Land-Use Planning, said the Ministry of Trade and Industry is responsible for full coordination with relevant bodies to prepare studies assessing the effects of the proposed activities on the environment.
These zones are located in the provinces of New Valley, Matrouh, Beni Suef, Suez, Menya and Six of October, head of center Omar al-Shawadfi said.
Mubarak also issued decree No. 356 on December 23 to the effect that 315,000 acres in Aswan, West Com Ombo and Assiut will be added to the state's plan to be reclaimed. In addition, 787 square kilometers on Upper Egypt-Red Sea Road have been allocated for the National Company for Construction and Development, an affiliate to the Ministry of Investment. This plot of land will be used in agriculture, industry, eco-tourism, services and trade.
