AD Ports Group Partners With Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority To Develop KEZAD East Port Said Industrial Zone

AD Ports Group and the General Authority for Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) have entered into a 50-year renewable agreement to develop a 20 km² industrial and logistics park near Port Said, Egypt. This strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea aims to become a major hub for international trade, enhancing connectivity along East-West trade routes at the Suez Canal's entrance.

The agreement was signed in Cairo, with Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly witnessing the event. Key figures present included Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, and other notable officials. Ahmed Al Mutawa from AD Ports Group and Admiral Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud from SCZONE formalised the partnership.

AD Ports Group will oversee the development of the industrial zone in phases, starting with an initial 2.8 km² area. The first phase will receive $120 million for market studies and development over three years. Construction is set to begin by year-end, with Hassan Allam Holding as a key partner in this endeavour.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi of AD Ports Group highlighted that KEZAD East Port Said underscores strong UAE-Egypt economic ties. He stated that this collaboration aligns with leadership visions to bolster Egypt's economy through integrated trade solutions. The project aims to enhance the Suez Canal's role in supporting global trade corridors.

Waleid Gamal El Dien of SCZONE emphasised that this initiative strengthens Egypt-UAE relations and positions SCZONE as a pivotal global trade hub. The project supports supply chains by offering a competitive investment environment with advanced infrastructure and strategic location advantages.

Investment Potential in SCZONE

SCZONE has become a cornerstone for regional and international investments due to its integrated model combining industrial zones and seaports. KEZAD East Port Said connects seamlessly with East Port Said Port, known for its deep berths and efficient operations. AD Ports Group's expertise will help SCZONE achieve its strategic goals.

Ahmed Al Mutawa noted that KEZAD East Port Said is designed to attract investments, foster industrial growth, create jobs, boost exports, and facilitate technology transfer. It complements AD Ports Group's expanding ecosystem in Egypt while leveraging the Suez Canal's natural assets to support manufacturing and ease business operations.

Integrated Development Model

Admiral Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud explained that they are developing an integrated model combining industry, maritime transport, and logistics services within an investment-friendly environment. East Port Said Industrial Zone is central to this model due to its strategic location at the Suez Canal's northern entrance.

In addition to this project, AD Ports Group has partnered with Hassan Allam Holding through an MoU to explore further developments in Egypt's industrial zone. In December 2024, Hassan Allam Construction was appointed to build a new multipurpose cargo terminal in Safaga on Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

Since 2022, AD Ports Group has made significant investments in Egypt by acquiring regional shipping company Transmar and port operator TCI. They have also secured long-term concessions for cruise terminals at Red Sea ports like Safaga, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh.

The East Port Said project aligns with UAE-Egypt ties aimed at supporting commercial sectors and attracting quality investments. This initiative supports global trends towards regional manufacturing centres that enhance supply chain sustainability while improving connectivity with major markets worldwide.

AD Ports Group operates across more than 50 countries with a fleet of 247 vessels and 34 terminals. It manages over 550 km² of economic land bank space as part of its extensive trade network in the Middle East region.

SCZONE offers unique investment opportunities due to its strategic location coupled with advanced infrastructure connecting four industrial zones seamlessly integrated into six seaports covering 455 square kilometres overall area size attracting numerous global investors over recent years reflecting confidence within this platform’s viability strategically positioned towards industry export logistics services globally recognised today!

With inputs from WAM