CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones Attends Signing of Strategic Tech Cooperation Agreement between Elsewedy Group and Spain's CIRCE Energy Research Center

Mr. Hossam Heiba, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), witnessed the signing of a framework agreement for strategic cooperation between CIRCE – the Spanish Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption and Elsewedy Electrometer, aimed at delivering technological solutions tailored to the infrastructure needs of smart cities in both Egypt and Spain.

The partnership will leverage advanced technologies—including artificial intelligence, smart systems, and big data analytics—to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of utility distribution networks, such as electricity, water, and wastewater systems. It will also provide tech-based solutions to improve fire safety services, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and smart lighting for streets and homes, among other essential services for urban populations.

Under the agreement, the production of these technology solutions will be shared between Egypt and Spain, and students from Elsewedy's Applied Technology School will be integrated into all phases of the partnership to prepare them for employment in the company's facilities across both countries.

The agreement was signed by Eng. Emad Elsewedy, Chairman of Elsewedy Electrometer Group, and Dr. Andrés Llombart Estopiñán, CEO of CIRCE, in the presence of Ms. María del Mar Vaquero Periánez, Vice President of the Government of Aragón; H.E. Álvaro Iranzo Gutiérrez, Ambassador of Spain to Egypt; Eng. Mohamed Zaki El Sewedy, Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Industries; and Eng. Maged El-Menshawy, Head of the Egyptian-Spanish Business Council.

In his remarks, Eng. Emad Elsewedy emphasized that the agreement aligns with the Group's vision of “investing in technology as a precursor to investing in industry." He noted that recent global developments have demonstrated that those who produce technology are better positioned to lead in global markets and achieve long-term sustainable growth. He added that this agreement marks a strategic milestone in bilateral cooperation, as it will offer technological solutions to businesses and consumers in both nations, while shielding them from the adverse effects of global trade tensions.

Ms. María del Mar Vaquero Periánez, Vice President of the Government of Aragón, affirmed the positive impact the agreement will have on both countries. She highlighted Aragón's strong focus on technology, engineering industries, and environmental sustainability, noting that the automotive sector accounts for 30% of the region's industrial output, and that Aragón generates around 80% of Spain's renewable energy capacity and contributes 12% of the country's total energy supply. She also pointed out that Zaragoza, the regional capital, hosts “The Wave", one of Europe's most prominent entrepreneurship conferences.

Vice President of the Government of the Aragon affirmed her country's desire to cooperate with Egypt's technology sector, which is rich in young talent and accumulated expertise.

For his part, Mr. Hossam Heiba reviewed the latest developments in investment systems and incentives offered to investors in Egypt, pointing out that the free zone framework would be suitable for hosting new facilities relying on advanced technology resulting from this agreement. Egypt currently has nine Public Free Zones, with four more under construction set to begin operations by mid-next year, in addition to 230 Private Free Zones—all of which enjoy full tax and customs exemptions. This facilitates the re-export of technological products to target markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, while allowing up to 20% of products to be directed to the Egyptian market.

GAFI CEO noted that Egypt is currently working toward integration among African competitors, particularly Morocco and South Africa, to increase investment flows and intra-African trade. Memoranda of Understanding and cooperation protocols have been signed with nearly all African investment promotion institutions, making it easier to establish joint manufacturing and technological centers across many countries on the continent.

Engineer Mohamed El-Sewedy emphasized the vast opportunities for cooperation between the two countries to accelerate Egyptian and Spanish compliance with European environmental sustainability requirements.

Ambassador Álvaro Iranzo Gutiérrez, Spain's Ambassador to Egypt, stated that the two countries share many commonalities capable of supporting development efforts across the entire Mediterranean region.

Engineer Magid El-Minshawy, Head of the Spanish-Egyptian Business Council, highlighted the many success stories of investment cooperation between the two countries since the beginning of the century in sectors such as petroleum, water treatment, sanitation, pharmaceuticals, transportation, and railways. He proposed directing part of the technical cooperation between El Sewedy Electrometer and Circe toward the tourism sector, especially since both countries are among the world's top tourist destinations and possess exceptional attractions that could be maximized through modern technology.  
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