Egypt issued an official statement harshly condemning the Israeli government’s decision to resume land registration and settlement procedures in the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967. Egypt called the move a “dangerous escalation” aimed at consolidating Israel’s control over the occupied Palestinian territories and undermining the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Israel resumes West Bank settlingThe Israeli government’s decision, approved by the cabinet on Sunday, marks the first official step to resume land registration in the West Bank since its occupation in the June 1967 Six-Day War. This decision allows for the conversion of Palestinian land into Israeli “state land,” facilitating settlement construction and preventing Palestinians from claiming ownership rights. Historically, Israel froze registration procedures after the occupation to avoid recognizing Palestinian rights, but this move is now seen as an attempt to solidify de facto annexation, particularly following previous decisions such as the annexation of the Jordan Valley in 2020.

El-Gouna – World renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, scientist and humanitarian, Sir Magdy Yacoub, visited Manara School in El-Gouna to address the student body on the importance of education, leadership and ethics as th each carve their individual paths. This was followed by a closed question-and-answer session by students who hold leadership roles within the school body as part of Manara’s Student Leadership Program. During this session, the students asked Dr. Yacoub before the full school body gathered in the auditorium for a student-led symposium. However, it is his commitment to passing on this know-how on to others that Dr. Yacoub sees as his truest wealth. Her passing from what was, even at the time, a curable heart problem is what first set Dr. Yacoub on his medical path.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi reviewed the government’s preparations to secure electricity supplies during the upcoming summer season, as peak demand on the national grid is forecast to rise by 6-7%. The review took place during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Essmat, according to a statement from the presidency. Essmat outlined the ministry’s plan to reinforce generation capacity ahead of peak consumption months, including the addition of approximately 3,000 megawatts (MW) of new solar energy projects this year. Al-Sisi emphasised the importance of maintaining grid stability and ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply for households, industry and vital services. He called for accelerating renewable energy projects while improving the operational efficiency of existing power plants and transmission networks.

In a move underscoring its commitment to delivering differentiated, client-centric banking solutions, QNB Group has celebrated the launch of Private Banking services at QNB Egypt. The experience is further enhanced by QNB Group’s extensive regional and international presence, spanning approximately 28 countries worldwide. Through its Private Banking services, clients benefit from the highest levels of privacy and service excellence, with access to a wide range of bespoke financial solutions aligned with their individual preferences. Commenting on the launch, Abdulla Mubarak Al Khalifa, Group Chief Executive Officer of QNB, said: “The launch of Private Banking services embodies the Group’s vision of redefining premium banking across our markets. He added: “Private Banking at QNB Egypt is built on focus and execution.

Bassel Rahmy, Chief Executive of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), announced that 40 companies have applied for the Agency’s classification certificate dedicated to innovative start-ups, enabling them to benefit from a wide range of government services, incentives and supportive legislation. Rahmy said the move reflects growing interest among entrepreneurs in formalising their status to access state-backed facilitation measures designed to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The certificate allows eligible companies to take advantage of incentives offered by various government entities under Egypt’s entrepreneurship support framework. Rahmy highlighted the extensive support mechanisms being introduced in line with the Start-ups Charter, announced on the sidelines of the RiseUp Summit. He stressed that the state is offering exceptional investment opportunities for young entrepreneurs, enabling them to expand operations and penetrate export markets.

HSBC Egypt, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), hosted the Hong Kong Garment and Textiles Business Mission at its Cairo headquarters, bringing together 12 leading Hong Kong apparel and textile companies to explore investment prospects in Egypt. The event aimed to strengthen trade and investment flows between Egypt and Hong Kong by connecting international manufacturers with opportunities in Egypt’s expanding garment and textiles sector. Todd Wilcox, Deputy Chairperson and CEO of HSBC Bank Egypt, said Egypt is increasingly positioning itself as a pivotal node in global trade networks. “Through this mission, and with the support of HSBC Egypt, we are connecting Hong Kong companies with emerging opportunities in Egypt’s manufacturing landscape. Our objective is to provide businesses with direct market insights and foster partnerships that will further strengthen the Egypt-Hong Kong trade corridor,” Wong said.

The visit comes as part of the Ministry of Transport’s broader plan to develop and enhance the 800-kilometre International Coastal Road extending from Port Said in the east to Salloum on the western border. The road represents a strategic transport artery linking Egypt’s Mediterranean ports – including Port Said, Damietta, Alexandria, and Gargoub – while passing through seven governorates: Port Said, Damietta, Dakahlia, Kafr El-Sheikh, Beheira, Alexandria and Matrouh. During the tour, Al-Wazir reviewed progress on the 64-kilometre stretch, including 37 kilometres within Damietta Governorate and 27 kilometres in Dakahlia Governorate. Construction is also under way on a dedicated concrete truck lane from Damietta (km 50) to the Black Sand dredging area (km 132). The minister further reviewed progress on the Damietta East road duplication and rehabilitation project, which extends 62 kilometres.

Egypt has mandated that non-banking financial institutions with capital exceeding EGP 100m must measure their carbon footprints and offset 20% of their annual emissions through the purchase of carbon credits, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid said on Sunday. Farid emphasised that Egypt has implemented an integrated package of structural reforms across both the banking and non-banking financial sectors through cooperation between the Central Bank and the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA). The real starting point for sustainable finance involved establishing precise regulatory and legislative frameworks to govern the issuance of sustainability-linked debt instruments, according to Farid. The minister explained that building an accurate and integrated database on carbon emissions served as the “cornerstone” for developing the sustainable finance system. Farid also highlighted that the FRA’s decisions requiring non-banking financial institutions to prepare periodic reports on their carbon footprints and offset a portion of their emissions via the carbon trading market reflect a clear direction to integrate environmental considerations into the core of financial and investment activities.

Banque du Caire has signed a new financing agreement with the Kandil Glass Group to support the company’s capital expansion, including the establishment of a new glass production facility in the Ataqa Free Zone in Suez governorate. The financing package includes a six-year medium-term loan worth $16.7m as part of an investment project with a total cost of up to $20.4m to establish Kandil Glass Industries in the free zone. The agreement also provides $8m and EGP 85.6m in additional financing for the existing Kandil Glass to fund capital expenditure (CAPEX). Bahaa El Shaffei, Deputy CEO of Banque du Caire, said the bank is keen to fulfil its development role by financing industrial projects with tangible economic impact. It also highlights Banque du Caire’s continued commitment to financing industrial investments and acting as a strategic partner in sustainable economic growth.

Egypt will bring forward the payment of government salaries for the next two months to ease financial pressures on households during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced on Sunday. The move comes as part of a broader EGP 40.3bn social protection package. This includes five million families already enrolled in the “Takaful and Karama” programme, along with 10 million additional low-income households identified through official government databases. Agricultural support: EGP 4bn will cover price differences for wheat procurement, ensuring farmers receive fair compensation for the upcoming harvest season from late April to June. Madbouly stressed that the government aims to ensure the benefits of economic reforms reach citizens directly and alleviate household financial pressures.

Egypt has launched a new social protection package worth EGP 40.3bn to support low-income and vulnerable households ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk announced during a press conference on Sunday. Under the package, 10 million households registered in the ration card system will receive EGP 400 each during March and April 2026, at a total cost of EGP 8bn. In addition, 5.2 million families enrolled in the “Takaful and Karama” programme will receive an extra EGP 400 in cash support during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, amounting to EGP 4bn. A further 45,000 beneficiaries of child pensions and rural female leaders will receive EGP 300 each during the same period. EGP 3bn has been allocated to accelerate treatment for patients on waiting lists and critical cases to ensure timely medical care before Eid al-Fitr.

Golden Pillars Development has entered into a cooperation agreement with Rotana Hotels to manage and operate Swar Hotel, its latest mixed-use project in Shorouk City. Swar Hotel is designed as a mixed-use development integrating hotel and commercial components. It represents Golden Pillars’ first hospitality venture in Shorouk City. Under the agreement, Rotana – which operates in more than 14 countries and manages nearly 22,000 rooms across 80 hotels – will oversee the full management of Swar Hotel. Officials at Golden Pillars said the project aims to create an integrated hospitality and commercial destination offering sustainable investment value.

During the event, SKY AD. Developments showcased a portfolio of residential and investment projects across key destinations in Egypt. Among the highlights was Sky North in Ras El Hekma on the North Coast, positioned as a premium coastal development offering integrated leisure and residential amenities. The company also presented Blue Tree in the Golden Square district of New Cairo, which incorporates Blue Walk – a mixed-use commercial complex comprising retail, administrative and medical units. Developments operates across East Cairo, the New Administrative Capital and the North Coast, with ongoing expansion into emerging areas such as Sixth Settlement and West Cairo.

One of One has announced a cultural partnership with iRead, a platform dedicated to promoting reading and knowledge across the Arab region. The collaboration aims to foster reading habits, improve focus and critical thinking in an era dominated by digital distractions, and create opportunities for dialogue and cultural engagement. The session explored the effects of excessive smartphone usage on attention and cognitive skills, highlighting reading as a tool to strengthen focus and awareness. As part of the initiative, One of One provided iRead platform subscriptions to Al-Nas Hospital, allowing patients and medical staff to access educational and cultural content. Engy El-Sabban, Co-founder of iRead, said the partnership aligns with the platform’s broader mission to make reading a sustainable habit and strengthen cultural awareness.

Gates Developments has signed a strategic partnership with SDC, owner of the Farida real estate platform, to integrate residential and hospitality services across a number of its flagship developments in the New Administrative Capital, West Cairo, and the North Coast. Under the agreement, SDC will operate and manage serviced apartments under the Luxor Hospitality brand within Gates Developments’ CATALAN and VENIA projects in the New Capital. CATALAN spans 36 feddans in the R7 district and comprises 1,765 units, while VENIA extends over 40 feddans with a total of 1,792 units. The introduction of serviced apartments is intended to enhance operational efficiency and offer investors flexible, hospitality-oriented residential products. The collaboration is expected to optimise the utilisation of Gates Developments’ portfolio, which totals approximately 7,700 units, and respond to rising demand for hospitality-integrated residential offerings in Egypt’s emerging urban destinations.