Arab Finance: Egypt is advancing a development strategy through 2030 aimed at transforming the Northwest Coast into a year-round destination for tourism, investment, residential, and industrial activities, while extending urban development into the area’s desert hinterland, as per a statement.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reviewed the strategy and the implementation status of projects across the area during a meeting attended by Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Randa El-Menshawy and Deputy Minister of Housing for New Urban Communities Waleed Abbas.
Madbouly said the plans aim to capitalize on the area’s competitive advantages by attracting investment and supporting year-round economic activities.
The strategy follows directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to develop an integrated plan for the area. It aims to turn the Northwest Coast into an international tourism hub, increase its contribution to the economy, integrate road and utility networks, and channel investment toward productive, industrial, and service activities.
The plan also seeks to create permanent employment and attract foreign direct investment by offering incentives to local and international companies undertaking major development projects in the area.
El-Menshawy said the strategy connects the coast with its desert hinterland through wider urban development and integrated residential communities. It also combines tourism, economic, and industrial activities to support year-round operations and greater population stability.
A smart transportation network comprising railway lines, high-speed rail, and the International Coastal Road will connect the different areas and facilitate the movement of people and goods. The strategy also calls for additional offerings of industrial land alongside the development of housing, service, industrial, and logistics zones.
The government is planning the Northwest Coast’s water infrastructure around projected demand through 2030 and 2050. The meeting reviewed existing and planned seawater desalination plants in the area and Matrouh Governorate, as well as pipelines intended to connect the facilities and increase their operating capacity.
The master plan divides the Northwest Coast’s urban hinterland into five principal sectors and designated development zones covering tourism, industry, agriculture, housing, and regional services.
The first is the tourist villages sector, which is allocated to recreational and residential activities. The second covers Sidi Abdel Rahman and is intended for tourism, industrial, and logistics projects, while the third will accommodate mixed-use developments and regional services. Ras El Hekma and West Ras El Hekma form the fourth and fifth sectors, respectively, with tourism, agricultural, and industrial activities planned across both.
Abbas reviewed work in the first sector, including the redevelopment of Marina El Alamein and New Marina. Projects in the area cover the first and second phases of the lakes development, the tourist promenade, Marina’s entrances, the Champs-Élysées area, and the Roman Theater.
Construction is also underway on the M8 and M8 By The Lake housing projects, Boghaz 24, and bridges connecting the lakes.
Work on villas and apartment buildings at the Marina 8 project has reached approximately 91%, while excavation for the first phase of New Marina Lake is 96.7% complete. The inlet connecting the lakes has reached a completion rate of 93%, with work continuing on the connecting bridges and protection projects at Marina 5.
Upgrades to Marina’s service road and tourist promenade have been completed, alongside the redevelopment of the Champs-Élysées area.
The meeting also reviewed New Alamein City’s master plan, which distributes development among residential, service, tourism, and industrial uses. The city’s beachfront development comprises 18 towers containing 6,298 residential units.
In the second and third sectors, officials assessed technical studies and implementation in Sidi Abdel Rahman and West Dabaa. Water networks serving the new urban development in Dabaa are complete, while sewage networks have reached 99%.
Work is continuing on electricity networks and service facilities. A school has reached 85% completion, while the area’s plans also include a health unit, two commercial markets, and a sports field.
In the fourth sector, the government reviewed progress on the Ras El Hekma and Shams El Hekma projects, including infrastructure and construction work. Utility installation has been completed in several areas south of the high-speed rail line.
Proposals for the fifth sector include a new urban development west of Ras El Hekma, the Alam El Roum area, and the master plan for New Matrouh City. The meeting also covered plans for New Salloum City, which the government views as Egypt’s western gateway to Africa.
