The protocol, signed between the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) and the governorates of North and South Sinai, aims to implement the offering of 17 development communities under the GAFI's investment map.

GAFI CEO Mohamed Abdel-Wahab said these communities include 10 development communities in North Sinai and seven in South Sinai.

As for the offering process, he said the entire process would take place electronically starting from checking the terms of reference, paying fees, the selection of applicants and finally the announcement of winners.

The process will take place through the GAFI investment map website from 6 October to 5 November. 

Madbouly said the protocol falls within the framework of the political leadership's directives to proceed with comprehensive development efforts in Sinai, according to the statement.

It also aims to secure job opportunities to face population growth, achieve optimum use of resources, and secure a decent life for citizens.

On Monday, Madbouly said the state has implemented national development projects to serve almost every part of Sinai, either already completed or underway, at a cost of EGP 700 billion. 

This came while inaugurating Bahr Al-Baqar wastewater treatment plant that falls within the national project to reclaim and cultivate more than 674,000 feddans in Sinai, of which nearly 200,000 feddans have already been cultivated.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has recently inaugurated a number of national projects for the development of the Sinai Peninsula, including the key Ahmed Hamdi II Tunnel which connects Sinai to the mainland, and Africa to Asia.

The Ahmed Hamdi II Tunnel is the fifth tunnel built by Egypt in the last two years underneath the Suez Canal: two in Ismailiya and two in Port Said.

They aim to facilitate the movement of citizens and goods to and from the west of the canal, and are expected to double investments and job opportunities in Sinai.