Several of Egypt's leading real estate developers have put forward a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at addressing current market challenges and setting a clearer, more sustainable path for sector growth. The proposals were presented during a press conference held last week, underscoring the private sector's call for a more collaborative and transparent partnership with the government. At the core of the recommendations was the urgent need to establish a structured and ongoing dialogue between the government and developers. This proposed platform would address key issues such as market regulation, land sales, and allocation mechanisms. Developers stressed that creating a fair and transparent framework is essential to improving efficiency and ensuring long-term sector sustainability. A major point of discussion was the expedited issuance of the long-anticipated Developers' Union Law. The developers believe this legislation is critical for introducing stronger market discipline, enhancing stability, and ensuring all stakeholders operate under clear and unified regulations. They also emphasized the importance of safeguarding both state and developer rights in future policymaking, cautioning against the retroactive application of new regulations. Reforms to the licensing and ministerial approval processes were also prioritized. Developers called for more realistic timelines that reflect the complexity and scale of modern real estate projects. They further proposed extending the concept of "golden licenses"—currently available in the industrial sector—to real estate projects, in order to streamline approvals and reduce bureaucratic delays. On the financial front, participants underscored the need to activate Egypt's long-planned real estate exchange, which remains stalled. They also called for removing barriers hindering the launch of real estate investment funds, viewing both as essential tools to deepen market liquidity and attract institutional capital. Revising the Mortgage Finance Law and expanding access to affordable financing—particularly low-interest loans for young and first-time buyers—were also deemed urgent. To attract more international capital, the developers proposed creating a transparent and comprehensive database for foreign investors, offering clear visibility into available opportunities in Egypt's property market. Additionally, they recommended introducing broader tax and financial incentives to support developers and promote environmentally friendly projects, particularly those aligned with green building standards. Recognizing the critical role of contractors in timely project delivery, the group suggested launching a national initiative to offer subsidized loans to construction firms. This would help speed up delivery schedules and mitigate risks associated with delayed projects. They also called for a revision of how project timelines are calculated—recommending that deadlines be based on land size and infrastructure readiness, rather than applying uniform timeframes across projects of varying scope. These reform proposals reflect the private sector's growing desire to work hand-in-hand with the government to build a more resilient, transparent, and investor-friendly real estate ecosystem—one capable of supporting Egypt's broader urban development and economic growth ambitions.
