Egypt's Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib inspected on Saturday the public free zones in Ataqa and Adabiya in New Suez to review progress and investment opportunities in these key industrial hubs. El-Khatib toured several factories, including Oceandro Shipyard and Repair Yard, Schneider Electric Systems Factory, and Galaxy Chemicals Factory, where he reviewed production and export operations and praised the Ataqa Free Zone as a major driver of export industries and quality investments. The Suez public free zone spans three sites — Adabiya, Ataqa, and Port Tawfik — hosting 173 projects with a total capital of $400 million and investment costs of $1 billion, creating 5,000 jobs. El-Khatib said free zones are a cornerstone of Egypt's investment framework, with nine operating nationwide, hosting 1,224 projects worth $14.7 billion in capital and $38.7 billion in investments, employing 228,000 people and contributing 20 per cent of Egypt's non-oil exports. He described free zones as the lungs of Egypt's economy, highlighting their integration with nearby ports such as Ain Sokhna, which enhances competitiveness and export efficiency. Suez Governor Tarek El-Shazly said the free zone's strong infrastructure and strategic location link Suez ports with modern road networks, supporting existing projects and attracting new ones to create jobs for local residents. The visit aligns with the ministry's efforts to monitor investment zones, strengthen investor engagement, and boost their contribution to national economic growth. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
