Egypt launches investment zone for $29.7bn Alam Al Roum project

Cairo, Egypt - Egypt has launched a dedicated investment zone for Qatari Diar’s $29.7 billion Alam Al Roum development, adding a new investment framework to one of the country’s largest coastal projects.

The launch was attended by Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid Saleh and Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities Randa El-Menshawy, together with government officials and representatives of Qatari Diar. Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade confirmed the launch on 18 October.

The investment zone is intended to help accelerate project implementation, simplify procedures for investors and support a broader mix of economic activity around the development.

Farid said: "investment zones form part of the government’s strategy for attracting domestic and international capital by simplifying approvals and creating a clearer framework for project delivery. He also highlighted the government’s push to digitise licences, applications and approvals so investors can track procedures electronically."

The ministry said: "Egypt’s private sector accounted for around 65% of total investment in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025/2026, compared with a previous range of 40% to 45%. The private sector also employs more than 70% of the country’s workforce."

Farid said: "foreign direct investment reached approximately $18 billion by the end of fiscal year 2025/2026, while the government is seeking to raise the investment-to-GDP ratio to around 25% to support annual economic growth of between 5.5% and 6.5% over the coming years."

The launch adds another layer to the development of Alam Al Roum, a major Qatari Diar project on Egypt’s North Coast.

Qatari Diar states that Alam Al Roum spans approximately 20.58 million sq m and extends along 7.2km of Mediterranean coastline. The development carries total planned investment of $29.7 billion.

The project is being developed as an integrated coastal city combining residential, hospitality, commercial, cultural and recreational uses rather than as a seasonal resort. Qatari Diar formally launched the first phase in August 2026, with initial deliveries scheduled to begin in 2030.

The first-phase announcement also confirmed $3.5 billion in direct cash investment as part of the overall project value. The wider development is expected to create more than 250,000 direct and indirect jobs once completed.

Planned components across Alam Al Roum include residential communities, hospitality, retail and entertainment areas, marinas, education and healthcare facilities, along with supporting infrastructure. The original development agreement also provides for electricity distribution, water desalination and treatment facilities.

El-Menshawy said: "the North Coast is being developed not only as an urban expansion corridor but also as a location for new economic centres combining tourism, property and service-sector activity."

The new investment zone is intended to support that approach by widening the range of activities that can operate within Alam Al Roum and creating a more structured environment for attracting additional capital into the project.