UK-Saudi-UAE Alliance to Develop Ground-breaking Petrochemical Complex in Egypt

The project, with an estimated investment of $7 billion, is set to create 20,000 jobs during the construction phase and 3,000 permanent positions upon operation. Photo: Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum
The project, with an estimated investment of $7 billion, is set to create 20,000 jobs during the construction phase and 3,000 permanent positions upon operation. Photo: Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum
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UK-Saudi-UAE Alliance to Develop Ground-breaking Petrochemical Complex in Egypt

The project, with an estimated investment of $7 billion, is set to create 20,000 jobs during the construction phase and 3,000 permanent positions upon operation. Photo: Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum
The project, with an estimated investment of $7 billion, is set to create 20,000 jobs during the construction phase and 3,000 permanent positions upon operation. Photo: Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum

The UK’s Shard Capital Partners LLP, in collaboration with UAE-based Royal Strategic Partners and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qahtani Group, has announced the signing of a Framework Agreement with Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Ministry of Investment to develop a ground-breaking petrochemical complex in the industrial zone of New Alamein City.

In addition, Shard Capital said it is having initial discussions with Orascom Construction for the investment in the construction and operation of the complex outside battery limits on a Build Own and Operate basis.

The project, with an estimated investment of $7 billion, is set to create 20,000 jobs during the construction phase and 3,000 permanent positions upon operation, supporting Egypt’s economic development through job creation, Shard Capital said in a statement.

The project will establish an integrated complex with a production capacity of approximately 3.1 million tons annually of eight specialized petrochemical products. Using crude oil as its primary feedstock, the facility will include a refinery, and a mixed steam cracker unit designed to achieve one of the highest global conversion rates.

This state-of-the-art complex represents a transformative step for the industry by employing cutting-edge global technologies to maximize production efficiency and convert crude oil into high-value end products. Additionally, it will significantly enhance Egypt’s export capabilities in the petrochemical sector, playing a pivotal role in driving economic growth and strengthening global market position.

“Signing this agreement marks a historic milestone for Shard Capital LLP and reflects our deep commitment to advancing Egypt’s petrochemical sector. We are proud to be part of this critical project that will revolutionize the industry by leveraging cutting-edge American and European technologies to ensure maximum efficiency in converting raw materials into specialized petrochemicals while delivering exceptional returns for both the complex and Egypt,” said Capital Markets Advisor at Shard Capital Partners LLP William Blain.

He added: “We are committed to implementing the highest environmental sustainability standards and minimizing carbon emissions. Our ongoing collaboration with US partners on blue hydrogen production feasibility studies represents a step toward a more sustainable future.”

CEO of Shard Capital Partners LLP Toby Raincock said: “This complex will enhance Egypt’s industrial capabilities, open new export markets, create extensive job opportunities, and drive economic development across the region.



Egypt Approves $91 Billion Budget for 2025/26

 The sun rises in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2025. (Reuters)
The sun rises in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2025. (Reuters)
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Egypt Approves $91 Billion Budget for 2025/26

 The sun rises in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2025. (Reuters)
The sun rises in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2025. (Reuters)

Egypt's cabinet approved a 4.6 trillion Egyptian pound ($91 billion) draft state budget for the financial year that will begin in July, a government statement said on Wednesday, as it continues to tighten its finances under an IMF program.

Expenditures will rise by 18% and revenue by 19% over the current 2024/25 budget. Revenue is expected to hit 3.1 trillion pounds, working out to a deficit of about 1.5 trillion pounds ($30 billion).

The increased expenditure partly reflects elevated headline inflation, which was running at an annual 12.8% in February.

Financial reforms under an $8 billion financial reform program signed in March 2024 with the International Monetary Fund have helped Egypt bring inflation down from a peak of 38% in September 2023.

The IMF this month approved the disbursement of $1.2 billion to Egypt after its fourth review of the program.

The new budget targets a primary surplus of 795 billion pounds, equal to 4% of GDP, up from the 3.5% primary surplus originally targeted in the 2024/25 budget.

The IMF granted the government a waiver in the fourth review after the surplus came in 0.5% of GDP lower than Egypt's earlier commitment.

In its third review in June, the IMF praised Egypt for its "strict control of spending".

The new budget also lowers public debt to 82.9% of GDP from an expected 92% in 2024/25, the cabinet statement said.

The cabinet said 732.6 billion pounds in spending in the new budget would be allocated for subsidies, grants and social benefits, an increase of 15.2%.

The budget increases commodities and bread subsidies by 20% to 160 billion pounds. It will also include 75 billion pounds to subsidize petroleum products, 75 billion pounds to subsidize electricity and 3.5 billion pounds to subsidize natural gas deliveries to households, the statement added.