Egypt Launches E-Registration for New Companies

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnesses the first e-founding of a company in Egypt. (Egyptian government)
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnesses the first e-founding of a company in Egypt. (Egyptian government)
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Egypt Launches E-Registration for New Companies

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnesses the first e-founding of a company in Egypt. (Egyptian government)
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnesses the first e-founding of a company in Egypt. (Egyptian government)

Egypt has launched an e-platform for the establishment of new companies in a concerted effort to eliminate barriers hindering potential investors and ensure the realization of “investment leaps.”

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnessed a live demonstration on Wednesday of the first company to be founded electronically.

The Damietta Company for Green Ammonia was electronically registered via the digital platform of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI).

Madbouly stated that the objective is to “infuse greater flexibility into the executive procedures for company establishment, in line with the Egyptian state’s plans to enhance the investment climate.”

The premier emphasized the need to “promote the newly introduced service to attract investors and acquaint them with the steps for electronic company formation, facilitating the process for them.”

Madbouly also underscored the provision of technical support to ensure service quality and mitigate any issues.

Chairman of GAFI Hossam Heiba explained that investors would register the company and pay fees online. Then, the authority would complete all the measures with the various concerned parties and send the documents to the investors by courier.

“The launch of the service of founding [companies] through the electronic gate is one the authority's plans to enhance the quality of service offered to investors and abide by the highest standards of competitiveness and transparency,” he added.

“Investors will not deal with bureaucracy again and that will not entail extra burdens, as the cost of online foundation is the same as that paid in investor service centers nationwide,” he showcased.

Walid Gaballah, an economic expert and member of the Egyptian Society for Economics, Statistics, and Legislation, commended the step, considering it a “pressing need in line with the comprehensive digital transformation pursued by Egypt.”

“The administrative system for investment has faced numerous obstacles in the past due to the sluggish procedures,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.



Saudi Tourism Forum 2025 Kicks Off in Riyadh with Over 100 Participants

The Saudi Tourism Forum 2025 kicked off on Tuesday in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Tourism Forum 2025 kicked off on Tuesday in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Tourism Forum 2025 Kicks Off in Riyadh with Over 100 Participants

The Saudi Tourism Forum 2025 kicked off on Tuesday in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Tourism Forum 2025 kicked off on Tuesday in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Riyadh is hosting the third edition of the Saudi Tourism Forum 2025, featuring participation from over 100 organizations. The forum provides a comprehensive platform to showcase the latest advancements in the tourism sector, highlight investment opportunities, develop skills, and establish new partnerships to accelerate tourism growth in the Kingdom.

Taking place from January 7 to 9, the event is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and the Tourism Development Fund.

Mohammed Basrawi, Chief Domestic Tourism Officer at the Saudi Tourism Authority, emphasized in his opening remarks the sector’s continuous growth and record-breaking achievements, driven by innovative products and services.

“In 2023, we celebrated welcoming 100 million visitors to the Kingdom, a milestone that reflects the ambitions of Vision 2030 and the support of our wise leadership,” he said.

Basrawi highlighted the success of the previous forum, which attracted over 28,000 visitors from 100 entities, facilitated the signing of 62 agreements, including nine with the Saudi Tourism Authority, and led to the launch of more than 20 new initiatives and products.

This year’s forum will feature additional partnerships, commercial opportunities, and international and local promotional campaigns to further establish Saudi Arabia as a leading global tourism destination, he added.

Khalid Al-Shareef, spokesperson for the Tourism Development Fund, shared insights with Asharq Al-Awsat on the forum’s sidelines, stating that the fund is overseeing more than 135 qualified projects across the Kingdom, with a total investment exceeding SAR 40 billion ($10.7 billion). These include the development of over 8,800 hotel rooms in cities such as Abha, Al-Baha, Taif, AlUla, and Madinah, extending tourism projects beyond major hubs like Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province.

Al-Shareef identified the Asir region as a key area of focus due to its diverse geography, attracting both domestic and international tourists, particularly in the summer. He noted that the southern region hosts 15 projects worth SAR 2.6 billion and emphasized the importance of sustained support from both the Public Investment Fund and private sector companies.

Since its inception, the forum has achieved significant milestones, spotlighting Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage and unique tourism offerings while advancing the shared vision of developing this vital sector.

The event features a diverse program of seminars and workshops on the latest tourism trends and developments, enabling participants to engage with industry leaders, policymakers, and experts while enhancing the skills of professionals in the sector.