General & Private Free Zones | Suez Canal Economic Zone | Ongoing Legal Advisory
1- Legal Support for Chinese Investment
and Industrial Projects in Egypt
Since 2008, The Egyptian Law Firm has been providing legal services to Chinese companies and investors operating or planning to invest in Egypt. Over the years, we have developed extensive practical experience in understanding and addressing the legal, regulatory and operational requirements of Chinese businesses in the Egyptian market.
Our China Desk provides dedicated legal support to Chinese companies and investors establishing factories, industrial facilities and other business operations in Egypt. We assist clients with factory establishment and licensing, investment approvals, company incorporation and the various regulatory licences required to commence and maintain their operations.
We have successfully assisted numerous Chinese companies with obtaining the Golden Licence, establishing projects within both General and Private Free Zones and registering companies and industrial projects within the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE).
In addition to investment and licensing services, we provide ongoing legal advice on corporate governance, commercial contracts, employment, taxation, customs, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution. Our objective is to support Chinese clients throughout the entire lifecycle of their investments—from initial project assessment and selection of location to licensing, operation, expansion and the resolution of legal issues.
2- Practical Experience with Chinese Industrial Investment
Establishing a factory in Egypt requires coordination between several governmental and regulatory authorities and compliance with a wide range of corporate, industrial, environmental, construction, employment, tax and operational requirements.
Our lawyers have practical experience managing these procedures for Chinese investors and understand the issues that commonly arise during the establishment and licensing of factories and industrial projects.
We assist clients in selecting the appropriate investment structure and location, preparing and reviewing the required documents and coordinating with the competent authorities until the company and its industrial operations are properly established and licensed.
3- Factory Establishment and Industrial Licensing
We provide comprehensive legal support to Chinese manufacturers seeking to establish factories and industrial facilities in Egypt.
Our services begin with reviewing the proposed industrial activity, investment structure, location, land requirements and applicable licensing framework. We then advise the client on whether the project should be established within an ordinary investment area, an industrial zone, a General or Private Free Zone or the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
We assist with company formation, the acquisition or lease of industrial land, industrial registration, factory operating licences, construction and environmental approvals and other licences required for the commencement of production.
We also coordinate with the relevant investment, industrial, environmental and local authorities and advise clients on the importation of machinery, employment of local and foreign personnel and the continuing regulatory obligations of the factory.
4- Golden Licence
The Golden Licence is a single approval that may be granted to qualifying strategic or national investment projects and can cover the establishment, operation and management of the project.
Our Firm has successfully assisted Chinese companies with obtaining Golden Licences for their investment projects in Egypt.
Our services include assessing the project’s eligibility, advising on the appropriate corporate and investment structure, preparing and reviewing the application file and supporting documents and representing the client before the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones and other competent authorities.
We continue to support the client after approval with company establishment, land arrangements, industrial and operational requirements and the implementation of the licensed project.
5- General Free Zone Projects
We assist Chinese companies with establishing industrial and export-oriented projects within Egypt’s General Free Zones.
Our Firm has practical experience completing General Free Zone establishment and licensing procedures for Chinese investors and coordinating with the relevant Free Zone administrations.
We advise clients on eligibility requirements, permitted activities, export obligations, company establishment, allocation or lease of premises, customs treatment, operational licensing and the continuing regulatory obligations applicable to Free Zone projects.
6- Private Free Zone Licensing
We assist Chinese investors with establishing and licensing qualifying projects under Egypt’s Private Free Zone regime.
Our Firm has successfully handled Private Free Zone licensing procedures for Chinese companies, including the preparation and submission of applications and coordination with the competent investment authorities.
Our services cover the assessment of eligibility, project and ownership structure, location requirements, export commitments, capital and investment costs, employment planning, governmental approvals and the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the operation of the project.
7- Suez Canal Economic Zone Projects
The Suez Canal Economic Zone offers an important location for Chinese manufacturing, logistics, industrial and export-oriented investments.
Our Firm has assisted numerous Chinese companies with establishing and registering their companies and projects within the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
We provide legal support in relation to company formation, investment registration, land and facility arrangements, industrial and operational licences, construction documentation, employment matters and ongoing regulatory compliance within the Zone.
We also coordinate with the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone and other relevant authorities throughout the establishment and licensing process.
8- Other Business and Operational Licences
In addition to factory and special investment licences, we assist Chinese companies with obtaining and renewing the licences and registrations required for their business activities in Egypt.
These may include commercial, industrial, import and export, construction, telecommunications, product, environmental, professional and sector-specific licences and approvals.
Our lawyers identify the licences applicable to each activity, prepare and review the required documentation and represent the client before the relevant governmental and regulatory authorities.
9- Ongoing Legal Advice
Our assistance does not end once the company or factory has been established and licensed.
We provide Chinese-owned companies with ongoing legal advice on corporate governance, commercial contracts, employment, work permits, social insurance, taxation, customs, data protection, intellectual property and regulatory compliance.
We also advise management and headquarters on day-to-day legal matters, changes in Egyptian laws and regulations, governmental inspections, expansion of business activities and the legal requirements for new investments or production lines.
10- Supporting Every Stage of a Chinese Investment
Project Assessment
We review the proposed activity, location, ownership structure, production plan and operational requirements and identify the most suitable investment and licensing framework.
Establishment and Licensing
We establish the legal entity and complete the investment, industrial, environmental and other regulatory approvals required for the project.
Commencement of Operations
We assist with contracts, employment, work permits, taxation, customs, social insurance and the legal requirements for commencing production.
Continuing Legal Support
We provide ongoing corporate, commercial and compliance advice throughout the operation of the company or factory.
Expansion and Protection
We support production expansions, new activities, additional facilities and restructuring and protect the client’s interests through negotiation, litigation, arbitration and enforcement.