MAFI to establish the Middle East's largest food industries complex in Egypt

Ahram Online , MENA , Friday 29 Dec 2023

Privately-owned MAFI For Agricultural Produce Industries signed contracts on Wednesday with international agricultural companies to establish a $300 million food production complex in Sadat City, the largest in the Middle East.


Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnesses the signing of contracts for establishing the largest complex of agricultural food industries in the Middle East on 27 December 2023. Photo: Egyptian Cabinet

 

The move is a part of the Egyptian government’s efforts to boost the country’s industrial capabilities and exports, according to MAFI Board Chairman Ahmed Abu Hashima.

The complex will produce up to 100,000 tons of food products annually in its first stage, adding that the project will create over 7,000 direct and indirect jobs, Abu Hashima added.

General Manager of JBT, a US technology solutions provider to high-value segments of the food industry, Luca Bordini asserted that the complex will be the largest and most advanced in the Middle East and export to the global market.

Meanwhile, Sunil Kumar, managing director at GEA Middle East, a German corporation specializing in the food and beverages sector, hailed MAFI for establishing one of the largest factories in the world with the latest freeze-drying technology.

The signing ceremony in Cairo was attended by Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir, and CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) Hossam Heiba.

The five-plant complex will be built on 154,000 square metres of industrial land in Sadat City, according to a separate agreement signed the same day between MAFI and Elsewedy Industrial Development.

The complex will produce orange concentrates, tomatoes, various fruits, and essential oils; it will also contain one of the world's largest freeze-drying facilities and a plant for freezing fruits and vegetables.

The Egyptian government has introduced incentives to support production expansion and exports, attract more investments, and bolster the role of the private sector.

The country aims to boost its exports to attract more foreign currency, which has been in short supply since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.

According to Egypt's Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait, Egypt's private sector is poised to drive economic recovery and foster growth in the country throughout 2024.

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