Cityscape Egypt Offers Attractive Opportunities to End Market Recession

Cityscape Egypt exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Cityscape Egypt exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Cityscape Egypt Offers Attractive Opportunities to End Market Recession

Cityscape Egypt exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Cityscape Egypt exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt’s property exhibition, Cityscape Egypt, concluded its events on Saturday after a huge turnout of visitors wanting to seize the chance of the various offers presented by the development and real estate companies.

The three-day exhibition was held at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre (EIEC), with the participation of about 65 exhibitors.

The managing director of Al-Futtaim Real Estate Group, Ashraf Ezzeddine, indicated that the real estate market is regaining momentum, noting that the company's operations in the Egyptian market were not affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

He indicated that the company increased the installment period from five years to eight years in some projects to keep pace with the market.

Ezzeddine told Asharq Al-Awsat in an exclusive interview, that Al-Futtaim group intends to pump over EGP5 billion in investments in its projects during the year 2021, and that it is considering a study to "build about 30 palaces, with an area of 3000 meters for each, in the Cairo Festival City project in the 5th Settlement, which may start in 2022.”

The market was able to overcome its first shock caused by the spread of the virus, according to Ezzeddine, who believes that everyone has learned their lesson.

“The repercussions of the coronavirus do not affect the company's business and basic needs must be met, especially that of housing units.”

He pointed out that the company's sales to Arabs amounted to about 20 percent, stressing that there are no plans to invest outside Cairo at the present time.

Cairo Festival City participated in the exhibition with the CFC Club, Oriana, Aura, and Podium projects.

Meanwhile, Mardev Developments began the construction of the Menorca project in the new administrative capital, with a total investment of about EGP1.5 billion.

Mardev’s Chairman, Zohdy Zahran explained that the company provides different payment systems that suit all market requirements.

Speaking on the sidelines of the exhibition, Zahran explained that the company aims to pump EGP500 million of the EGP1.850 billion investments during the fiscal year 2021.

Also, Seldar Misr launched at the exhibition “al-Jazi Egypt '' project planned over two separate plots of land with a total area of 63 acres, and an investment cost of EGP7 billion.

The entire project is self-financed and expected to be finalized by the end of 2022.

The Chairman of Seldar Egypt, Tarek El-Sayed, announced that the project was developed by one of the company’s subsidiaries, Gulf Building and Construction.

The company launched the JW Marriott Residences New Cairo, al-Jazi Gardens, and all the units have been marketed and sold within three days only, indicated Sayed.

He added that 95 percent of al-Jazi Egypt had been completed in New Cairo, and all of the housing units of the first phase of the project were sold. He indicated that the company has spent about EGP4 billion so far.



Third ‘Mirkaz AlBalad AlAmeen Platform’ to Open in Makkah on Sunday 

A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
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Third ‘Mirkaz AlBalad AlAmeen Platform’ to Open in Makkah on Sunday 

A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)

The third edition of the “Mirkaz ABalad AlAmeen”, a leading platform for exchanging opportunities in Makkah, will kick off on Sunday, under the theme “Makkah Inspires the World.”

The platform, organized by the Holy Makkah Municipality, will feature 15 exceptional Ramadan evenings focused on dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cross-sector engagement.

Makkah Mayor Musad Aldaood said the platform redefines development from Makkah, where faith meets inspiration and values are transformed into a comprehensive civilizational experience.

He noted that the initiative reflects the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and showcases Makkah to the world as a living model of creativity, leadership, and innovation.

The upcoming edition will host more than 65 speakers, including executive leaders and decision-makers from across all three sectors, alongside futurists, entrepreneurs, and leading voices in culture and inspiration from artists, writers, media professionals, and innovators.

The program targets 12 key sectors: technology and digital transformation, financial investment, communications and media, real estate development, transport and logistics, banking services, youth and sports, tourism and culture, hospitality and catering, Hajj and Umrah, the third sector, and healthcare.


Saudi Arabia’s Mawani Grants Unified License to Global Shipping Line 

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
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Saudi Arabia’s Mawani Grants Unified License to Global Shipping Line 

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) granted on Thursday a unified license to international shipping line Global Shipping Line (PIL), officially recognizing it as an authorized foreign investor to operate maritime agencies in the Kingdom's ports, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The license is issued in accordance with the regulations outlined in the Maritime Agency Services, reflecting Mawani's commitment to boosting the efficiency of the maritime sector and improving the quality of operational services provided at ports.

It aims to attract global expertise and facilitate knowledge transfer within the Kingdom, aligning with international best practices in the maritime transport industry.

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector.

PIL, which operates from its regional headquarters in Riyadh, manages operations in 29 countries.

The move strengthens the Kingdom's position as a crucial logistics hub, in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, while attracting more international shipping lines. It reinforces Saudi Arabia's role as a key link among three continents.


IMF: Restoring Lebanon's Economic Growth Will Require Comprehensive Reforms

FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
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IMF: Restoring Lebanon's Economic Growth Will Require Comprehensive Reforms

FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo

Lebanon's economy has shown resilience despite conflicts in the region, with tourism fueling a bit of a rebound, but restoring growth will require comprehensive reforms, the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday.

IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack said the global lender remains engaged in complex discussions with Lebanese ‌authorities following their ‌request for an IMF-supported ‌program ⁠in March 2025. The ⁠IMF sent a staff mission to Beirut earlier this month, said Reuters.

The talks have been focused on two big issues, she said, citing the need for banking sector restructuring and a medium-term fiscal ⁠strategy. "The economy has shown resilience ‌despite the impact ‌of conflicts in the region. It has had ‌a bit of a rebound ‌on the back of tourism from the strong diaspora," Kozack said.

"But at the same time, really restoring strong and sustainable growth will ‌require a comprehensive set of reforms to tackle some of the ⁠structural ⁠weaknesses that have really hampered Lebanon's economic performance for many years," she said. Reforms also are needed to attract international support to help Lebanon address its substantial reconstruction needs.

Kozack said Lebanon needs an updated medium-term fiscal framework that includes concrete measures to mobilize additional revenues for much-needed capital spending, as well as a sovereign debt restructuring to restore debt sustainability.