Cairo: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly affirmed on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, that the Ataba market development project comes in implementation of the directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to revive historic areas, organize commercial movement in informal markets, and convert them into organized urban and commercial centers that meet the requirements of sustainable urban development while preserving the unique heritage and architectural character of the area.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the premier made the remarks during the inauguration of the Ataba market development project in central Cairo, one of the oldest and most famous popular markets in Egypt, after completing its development and rehabilitation as part of the state's plan to modernize informal markets and preserve heritage areas.

The inauguration was attended by Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, Ibrahim Saber, Governor of Cairo, alongside several ministry and governorate officials as well as leaders of the Greater Cairo Reconstruction Authority, the National Organization for Urban Harmony (NOUH), and the executing agencies.

Awad explained that the project aims to create a safe and civilized commercial environment that supports the integration of informal activities into the formal economy, in addition to raising the economic and investment value of central Cairo, in line with "Egypt Vision 2030," and improving quality of life in the heart of Cairo.

Awad noted that the project was implemented by the Greater Cairo Reconstruction Authority in coordination with the National Organization for Urban Harmony (NOUH), at a total cost of 50 million Egyptian pounds, excluding the cost of utilities works, funded by the ministry, with adherence to the highest technical and engineering standards.

For his part, the Governor of Cairo explained to the Prime Minister that the development works were carried out according to the model approved by the Minister of Local Development, in cooperation with the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), and in coordination with the NOUH, as part of the government's keenness to provide a safe environment for citizens frequenting the area, as well as sellers and shop owners located on the streets in the area.