Egypt is courting French investors as it looks to expand industrial and technology-focused projects within the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), a flagship hub the government plans will anchor export growth and attract high-value manufacturing. SCZONE Chairman Waleid Gamal El-Dein kicked off a promotional tour in Paris at the Egypt–France Business Forum, which drew senior French officials and representatives from major firms including Airbus Helicopters, Schneider Electric, Sanofi, Carrefour, Saint-Gobain, Valeo, Vinci and shipping giant CMA CGM. The zone — which spans six ports and four industrial areas on the Red Sea and Mediterranean — is targeting investment in specialty food production, automotive and electric-vehicle manufacturing, energy solutions, automation and logistics. Gamal El-Dein said the SCZone offers "a strategic platform" for companies looking to scale up operations and tap markets across the Middle East and Africa. During bilateral talks, he met executives from Sodilac, Airbus Helicopters, Schneider Electric and Fives Group to explore localization opportunities in infant-nutrition products, helicopter assembly and services, energy-management and automation technology, and industrial engineering — including EV batteries and components. Egypt is banking on the SCZONE to help drive industrial exports and attract global manufacturers as it seeks to diversify the economy, deepen supply chains and strengthen resilience to external shocks. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
