Egypt will launch its Investment Masterplan along with major new tenders for infrastructure and other projects at Egypt Invest 2005 scheduled for November 30 to December 1 in Cairo.

An Investment Clinic will also be established onsite at Egypt Invest 2005 for investors and intermediaries to meet key representatives from the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (Gafi).
Gafi officials will be available for detailed consultations on tax, banking regulations, investment, securities and exchange regulations and other related topics and to provide sector specific data and expert local guidance. The Ministry of Investment and Gafi are jointly organising the show with International Event Partners Ltd (IEP)
“This annual forum has seen both local and international delegate attendance increase from 354 in 2003 to 697 in 2004 and it is now widely regarded within the international investment and business community as a must-attend event for all professionals connected with investment and trade in Egypt,” the organisers said.
“The aim of this year’s forum is to showcase the investment and trade opportunities available in Egypt and in particular to focus on real projects that are available to all investors and which can benefit from the generous incentives available from the Government of Egypt.”
A statement from the organisers said the Egyptian Government was committed to a major and comprehensive financial and economic programme to build a dynamic, export-led high-growth economy. “By improving market conditions, renewing the infrastructure and dismantling bureaucratic barriers to investment, Egypt is trying to ensure that its economy becomes one of the most open, resilient and internationally integrated markets in the region,” it said.
The ratification of the EU–Egyptian Association agreement in March 2004 gives Egyptian exports tariff-free access to the European Union. “Transport costs are very competitive and it is cheaper to ship goods from Egypt to Europe than North-South across the European Union, making Egypt an ideal export base to supply Europe and a potentially large trading partner,” the statement said.
In July 1999, Egypt and the US signed a trade and investment free trade agreement (TIFA).
Egypt has seven free trade zones and there is one special economic zone. These special regions are outside customs borders and offer free trade conditions and a liberal regulatory environment.
Since April 2002, Gafi has been responsible for establishing an Investment Service Pool (ISP) with a ‘one-stop shop’ approach to investment applications and approvals. Branches of the one-stop shop are being established in Cairo as well as Alexandria, Ismailia and Assuit Governorates, followed by other outlets.
IEP is also organising, in collaboration with the Sudanese Ministry of Investment, the Sudan Invest 2005 Forum, which will be held from September 13 to 15 in Khartoum.
This forum will bring together senior Sudanese government officials, local and foreign investors, entrepreneurs, bankers and institutions concerned with practical trade and investment issues.
The event, first of its kind to be held in the country, is particularly designed for the Sudanese business community seeking foreign partners for investment projects and foreign companies seeking investment and trade in Sudan.