Egypt Launches Unified Online Investment Licensing Platform: A Quantum Leap for Investor Procedures

In direct response to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's directives to establish a unified electronic platform that streamlines investors' access to licenses and approvals through a single digital channel, the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade has launched the trial broadcast of the Unified Online Investment Licensing Platform.

The platform was developed entirely by the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and in partnership with 41 government entities responsible for issuing licenses. This initiative is part of the state's broader efforts to create a more efficient, transparent, and attractive business environment for both local and foreign investments.

A Qualitative Leap in Licensing Systems and Integrated Services
Eng. Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, emphasized that the platform represents a significant leap in the investment licensing system. It stands as the first unified electronic window offering 389 services, encompassing all necessary licenses, approvals, and permits for conducting economic activities in Egypt. The Minister highlighted that the platform provides investors with advanced digital tools to obtain licenses from relevant authorities without the need to navigate multiple government bodies.

The Minister added that the platform currently enables electronic payment for 250 services in cooperation with e-finance, with ongoing work to progressively enable electronic payment for the remaining services. This aligns with the state's comprehensive digital transformation plan and aims to simplify the investor's journey.

Strategic Goals to Enhance Investment Climate Confidence
Eng. El-Khatib further noted that the platform's launch goes beyond merely offering digital services; it signifies a qualitative shift in the approach to dealing with investors. By providing a transparent and user-friendly digital pathway, it aims to boost confidence in the investment climate. This is clearly reflected in the platform's core objectives:

Unifying the point of contact: Making the electronic platform the sole gateway for issuing investment licenses.
Simplifying procedures: Through a clear, easy-to-use digital pathway.
Accelerating license issuance: Within a period not exceeding 20 working days, provided all documents are complete.
Enhancing transparency: By making all procedures, requirements, and fees publicly available in advance.
Improving the investment environment: By enhancing the efficiency of government services directed at investors.
A Comprehensive Digital Experience for Investors
For his part, Mr. Hossam Heiba, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), explained that the platform provides a digital experience that simplifies investors' access to the necessary licenses and approvals for conducting their activities, eliminating the need to travel between entities. Key features of the platform include:

Comprehensive access: To all required licenses, approvals, and permits for conducting activities, with details on documents, fees, and responsible authorities.
Electronic application submission: And uploading required documents via the investor's account.
Secure electronic payment: Of fees through an integrated payment gateway.
Real-time application tracking: Through all stages of license issuance until final receipt.
Online inquiry submission: And tracking.
GAFI's CEO further elaborated that the platform was designed to simplify the investor's experience from the very first moment, through clear and interconnected steps:

Create a new account: Using an email address and activating it.
Access the personal page: Which allows the user to:
Search for their company and upload documents proving their legal capacity and commercial registration.
View previous applications or create a new one.
Submit documents and complete incomplete applications.
Pay fees electronically.
Track the application through its various stages:
Internal review at GAFI.
Review by licensing authorities.
Approval of license issuance.
Completion of payment.
Fulfillment of any additional requirements (e.g., inspection or original document verification).
License issuance and delivery, either electronically or through investor service centers.