Hossam Heiba, Chief Executive Officer of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), said the Authority places strong emphasis on activating the Permanent Start-up Support Unit and strengthening the role of the Investor Dispute Settlement Centre, describing them as key mechanisms for supporting Egypt’s investment climate and ensuring investor stability.
Heiba noted a marked decline in the number of complaints and disputes received recently compared with previous periods, reflecting the efficiency of the State’s integrated investment support system, faster responses to investors’ challenges, and growing trust between investors and government entities.
Heiba made the remarks during his participation in the NeoGen Conference on PropTech and Sustainable Smart Cities, held under the patronage of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and attended by a select group of government officials and business leaders. The conference forms part of Egypt’s broader efforts to attract foreign investment and promote digital transformation in the real estate development sector.
He stressed that the technological mindset is inherently non-traditional and rapidly evolving, which requires flexible legislative and regulatory frameworks capable of keeping pace with these changes.
He explained that the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, represented by GAFI as the executive authority responsible for investment affairs, is working continuously to create an enabling business environment through the issuance and updating of relevant laws and regulations in line with this modern approach. He emphasised that supporting advanced technology sectors is among the Egyptian State’s top priorities at this stage.
Heiba also outlined the key investment incentives offered by GAFI to global PropTech companies, stressing that the Authority considers the sector strategic, as it sits at the intersection of technology and real estate. He highlighted its pivotal role in improving the efficiency of real estate development, supporting the digital transformation of new cities, and attracting high-value investments, in line with Egypt Vision 2030 and the State’s strategy to promote smart cities and develop digital infrastructure.
He noted that GAFI manages and coordinates these incentives through its one-stop-shop model and by granting the “golden licence” to strategic PropTech projects. This approach ensures rapid establishment and operation, facilitates digital registration and licensing procedures, and provides diversified investment regimes, including technology zones, free zones, and investment zones, depending on the nature of the activity.
He added that companies operating in the sector can benefit from a range of financial and tax incentives, including deductions of investment costs from the taxable base, exemptions from stamp duty and notarisation fees, and simplified customs procedures for equipment and software. Additional incentives are available for companies that invest in research and development, facilitate knowledge and technology transfer, or support partnerships between real estate developers and technology firms.
Heiba stressed that GAFI does not merely offer investment incentives, but is working to build an integrated ecosystem that positions Egypt as a leading platform for the integration of technology with real estate development, delivering tangible added value for investors, the national economy, and the cities of the future.
On the sidelines of the conference, Fayez Ezz El-Din, President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, honoured Heiba in recognition of his prominent role in supporting Egypt’s investment climate and his ongoing efforts to promote digital transformation and attract high-quality investments. He praised GAFI’s vision and its pivotal role in developing the investment environment and strengthening international partnerships.
