Egypt's Ministry of Industry said Tuesday that Cairo for Investment and Development (CID) is still accepting investor applications in the second phase of offerings at Robbiki Leather City for 36 ready-to-use units for leather goods manufacturing. According to a ministry statement emailed to reporters, applications must be submitted via the Digital Industrial Platform (www.madein.eg) by July 27, 2025. The new phase targets leather goods manufacturers under either Instalment Sale or Operational Rent systems, offering what the ministry described as "exceptional facilitations." Under the Instalment Sale system, foreign investors can access six-year payment plans at a 5 per cent interest rate, with a one-year grace period. For Operational Rent, investors are required to pay only three months' rent upfront, with an additional three-month grace period before payments begin. CID is offering six factories at 2,000m2, ten factories at 1,000m2, and 20 workshops at 121m2, catering to different investor categories. Applicants may request multiple units under a single application. The initiative is part of Egypt's broader industrial strategy to position the country as a regional leather manufacturing hub and boost exports. Robbiki Leather City, located in Badr City near Cairo, is a state-supported industrial zone featuring advanced infrastructure, wastewater treatment, and logistics connectivity, situated just 100 km from Suez Port and 50 km from Cairo International Airport. The ministry emphasised that this offering builds on the "great success" seen during the first phase and reflects continued efforts to attract global brands and high-value-added manufacturing in the leather sector. To ease access to capital, the government has partnered with the Export Development Bank of Egypt (E-bank) to offer financing for unit purchases (covering up to 90 per cent of unit cost with 10-year repayment terms) as well as loans for machinery, working capital, and technical support. Exporters joining the RLC ecosystem will also benefit from E Bank's Exporters Club, which provides integrated services to expand international market access. The Ministry of Industry described Robbiki as "a fully integrated, environmentally compliant industrial city," noting that investors will also receive licensing and technical assistance through the Industrial Development Authority (IDA). The second phase, the ministry said, affirms Egypt's "commitment to to supporting the leather manufacturing sector, recognizing it as one of Egypt's promising industries." Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
