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Egypt, EBRD launch 2nd stage of digitalizing SCZone under green economy transition
Egypt and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) launched the second phase of its technical support program to digitalize the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) within the framework of ongoing efforts to accelerate transition to green economy.
This is part of Egypt’s strategy with the bank for 2022-2027 that focuses on promoting an inclusive economy, accelerating Egypt’s green economy transition, and enhancing the country’s competitiveness by supporting private-sector growth and strengthening governance.
Aiming to streamline administrative formalities and to fast-track the management of investor services, the SCZone authority has established a one-stop shop for investors, managed by its Investor Services Department.
The Bank is helping the SCZone to develop an efficient, competitive and eco-friendly business environment that is attractive to international investors and that will position the SCZone as a leading space for global trade, industries and services, as well as generate jobs for Egyptians.
The second phase will include the re-engineering of more than 60 services, including land management, project approvals, environmental approvals, company registration and foreign worker permits.
The technical support will also cover the full automation and digitalization of the one-stop shop by establishing agile software and hardware solutions. This will produce a fully automated and functioning Investor Services Department (ISD) at the SCZone to better serve and support investors. ISD personnel will also receive comprehensive training to boost their technical skills.
“We are delighted to extend our fruitful partnership with the SCZone and further contribute to the successful delivery of an autonomous, digital and interactive one-stop shop. The SCZone’s project is a good example of how we can speed up the rollout of digital services and assist with the SCZone’s ambition to become a world-class investment hub,” said EBRD Vice President, Banking, Alain Pilloux.
The Minister of International Cooperation, Rania A. Al-Mashat and Governor of Egypt at the EBRD, said: “The cooperation with the Bank in accelerating the process of digital transformation of the SCZone reflects the diversity of development partnerships between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the EBRD at the level of flexible development financing as well as technical support.”
She added “The digital transformation project of the SCZone is of particular importance in light of the government of Egypt’s commitment to attracting and promoting investments in this vital region and to stimulating the investment environment, facilitating and simplifying procedures, as well as enhancing the organization of work and skills development.”
The chairman of the SCZone, Waleid Gamal El-Dien, said: “The one-stop shop service provided by the SCZone to its investors is part of the enabling strategy, which is based on digital transformation as one of the main pillars for the 2020-25 plan. The SCZone aims to provide competitive and simplified business procedures that attract foreign investment. We appreciate the cooperation with the EBRD as we are working on the digitalization and re-engineering of our investor services. The cooperation also aims to raise the efficiency for affiliated ports and increase their competitiveness.”
The first phase of the project was launched in August 2020 and successfully completed in 2022, having significantly cut red tape for investors. For example, the number of procedures for the priority re-engineered services (construction permits, operating licences, industrial registers, practice permits, inspection and control) were reduced by 35 percent, the length of service delivery for the re-engineered services was cut by 52 percent, while fees and service charges increased by 110 percent.
At the end of 2021, the EBRD adopted its digital approach to advancing transition, which sets out a comprehensive framework for how the Bank will use its three instruments – investment, policy engagement and advisory services – to support digital transition in the economies where it operates.
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