Ashraf AboArafe
FOR the third consecutive day, the joint Egyptian-Chinese media delegation continued its field visits, sponsored and coordinated by People’s Daily. The delegation arrived at the “TEDA-Suez” Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone between Egypt and China to highlight a story of vibrant development partnership east of the Suez Canal.
1. Executive Dialogue and Investment Horizons
The visit featured a roundtable discussion attended by Mr. Cao Hui (Ibrahim), Executive Director and Member of the China-Africa Regional Development Council, alongside senior management officials from the TEDA Zone and representatives from operating companies. Local officials and representatives from academic and industrial partners (such as Jushi, Zhejiang, and Fan Yang) were also invited to exchange views and review cooperation prospects.
During the meeting, Mr. Cao Hui outlined the zone’s key historical milestones and statistical figures:
-
Area and Expansion: Launched in 2008, the zone’s total development area now reaches approximately 10.3 square kilometers, divided across three phases.
-
Presidential Support: Phase One was inaugurated in 2008 in the presence of the Prime Ministers of both nations, while Phase Two was officially launched in 2016 attended by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President Xi Jinping.
-
Investments and Enterprises: The zone has attracted over 200 companies (ranging between 205 to 271 enterprises), with total investments reaching $3.4 billion (and displayed zone figures exceeding $4.7 billion in total investment), generating total sales of nearly $7.7 billion (over $7.38 billion).
-
Exports and Localization: The zone exports 70% to 80% of its total production abroad. It has achieved a localization rate (local manufacturing and commerce) exceeding 90%, providing 10,000 direct jobs and over 50,000 indirect job opportunities.
2. At the Heart of Industry: Production Line Tour
The media delegation toured several key factories and companies within the zone. Journalists visited production halls to witness operations firsthand, observing the integration between Chinese technical expertise and Egyptian skilled labor. Key visited facilities included:
-
Jushi: A global leader in fiberglass manufacturing with an investment of $1 billion. Ranked fourth globally/Asian in this sector, exporting over 90% of its output to European and global markets.
-
XDEJMAC: Representing high and low-voltage electrical equipment manufacturing, aimed at bridging industrial gaps in the Egyptian local market.
-
Xinxin: Specialized in metals and heavy industries to meet the needs of Egyptian national infrastructure projects and neighboring regional markets.
-
Qimo: Investing in building materials and fixtures with a production capacity reaching 25 million square meters to serve Egypt and broader Africa.
-
Fan Yang: A key private investment model that expanded from a modest plot to 200,000 square meters, manufacturing agricultural goods and carpets for export.
3. Future Vision: Strategic Plan for the Next Decade (2026–2036)
Marking the 10th anniversary of the Chinese President’s visit (2016) and coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Egyptian-Chinese diplomatic relations, TEDA management outlined three core strategic pillars for the upcoming decade:
-
Spatial Expansion: Completing the development of an additional 2.86 square kilometers recently signed, with infrastructure construction scheduled for completion within 2 to 3 years.
-
Industrial Upgrading (1 + 8 Model): Focusing on high-tech, high-value-added industries, including renewable/new energy, concept and electric vehicles, advanced materials, and green chemical manufacturing.
-
Digital and Green Transformation: Building digital management platforms for the zone while supporting Egypt’s clean energy transition, aiming to establish TEDA as an eco-friendly green industrial hub under the Belt and Road Initiative.
