Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly attended the launch of construction works for the first phase of Qatari Diar’s Alam Al Roum project in Egypt’s North Coast, a major mixed-use development being implemented in partnership with the Egyptian government.
The project will involve total planned investments of $29.7bn, including $3.5bn in direct cash investments, with the first phase scheduled for delivery beginning in 2030.
Speaking during the launch ceremony in Matrouh governorate, Madbouly said the government is continuing to accelerate development across Egypt’s northwestern coast, describing the region as one of the country’s most promising tourism and investment destinations.
He added that President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has directed the government to provide incentives and facilitate procedures to encourage local and foreign private-sector companies to expand existing investments and launch new development and economic projects across the region.
Madbouly said the commencement of construction at Alam Al Roum marks an important milestone in the development of the northwestern coast and reflects the area’s growing attractiveness as a Mediterranean tourism and investment hub.
Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities Randa El-Menshawy said the development of large-scale projects along the North Coast reflects the state’s efforts to create an integrated investment and urban environment supported by modern infrastructure, including roads and utility networks.
She added that projects of this scale are expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities, expand business prospects for Egyptian and international companies operating in construction and related sectors, and increase private-sector participation in Egypt’s development plans.
First Phase
Sheikh Hamad bin Talal Al Thani, CEO of Qatari Diar, presented the master plan and implementation timetable for the project’s first phase during the launch event.
The first phase will cover 4 million square metres, with a total built-up area of 1.4 million square metres. It will feature a 2-kilometre beachfront and waterfront promenade, natural sea-connected swimmable lagoons, and 195,000 square metres of artificial swimmable lagoons, while open spaces will account for approximately 85% of the total area.
The phase will also include a marina with 50 yacht berths, four hotels providing more than 1,000 rooms, sports facilities, retail outlets, and restaurants.
According to Qatari Diar, the first phase is expected to attract investments of approximately EGP 220bn and create around 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The full Alam Al Roum development will span 20.58 million square metres and include a 7.2-kilometre waterfront promenade. The master plan incorporates residential, tourism, commercial, cultural, entertainment, educational, and healthcare components.
The project will also feature 22 kilometres of open lagoons connected directly to the sea, 850,000 square metres of artificial swimmable lagoons, an international marina with capacity for 370 yachts, and a local marina accommodating 120 yachts.
Additional features include an 18-hole golf course covering approximately 980,000 square metres with sea views, alongside more than 3,500 hotel rooms across a range of hotels and resorts.
Qatari Diar said the development has been designed around a walkable-city concept, incorporating pedestrian and cycling networks, smart mobility solutions, water management systems, biodiversity protection measures, and climate resilience principles.
Hamad bin Talal Al Thani said the company is committed to completing the first phase according to schedule, with handovers beginning in 2030.
“The launch of the first phase reflects the scale of our investment in Alam Al Roum, which amounts to $29.7bn across the entire project, including $3.5bn in direct cash investments,” he said.
He added that the company is working with leading international consultants specialising in urban planning, marina design, hospitality, landscape architecture, and infrastructure development.
Strategic Location and Investment
Alam Al Roum is strategically located on Egypt’s North Coast near Ras El Hekma and Marsa Matrouh International Airport. The development is also connected to the International Coastal Road and the electric high-speed rail network currently under construction.
According to Qatari Diar, the location is intended to position the project as a regional tourism and investment destination linking North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
The company said the completed development is expected to generate more than 250,000 direct and indirect jobs, while creating significant opportunities for Egyptian and international contractors to participate in construction and related activities.
Backed by the Qatar Investment Authority, Qatari Diar has a portfolio of 42 projects in more than 20 countries, with total investments exceeding $35bn. The company has been operating in Egypt for more than two decades, with investments estimated at around $7bn.
