Cairo: Egypt is set to introduce four new public free zones by the end of 2026, as part of efforts to expand industrial investment and increase exports, the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) announced. According to State Information Service Egypt, this decision was made following the approval by the ministerial group for industrial development on August 11, chaired by Industry and Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir. The initiative comes in response to the current 95 percent occupancy rate in Egypt's nine existing free zones. The new zones will be strategically located in 10th of Ramadan, New October, New Borg El-Arab, and New Alamein. GAFI CEO Hossam Heiba has stated that production from these new zones will be exclusively export-oriented, aiming to help Egypt achieve its target of $140 billion in annual exports by 2030. He emphasized that this strategy is designed to prevent competition with domestic producers while promoting fair investment practices and supporting green transition obj ectives. Heiba also highlighted that GAFI is collaborating with the New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA) to expedite infrastructure development within the new zones. Additionally, he mentioned that three more free zones are currently under review, potentially increasing the total number to 16 zones. The Egyptian government views free zones as crucial to driving export growth under its investment for exports strategy, which is aimed at attracting foreign investment and broadening the country's industrial foundation.