Kamel Al-Wazir: Ezz Al-Arab Al-Suwaidi Invests 3 Billion Pounds in New “Proton Saga” Factory

Factory Set to Begin Production Next Month

The Ezz Al-Arab Al-Suwaidi Group has launched a new automotive manufacturing facility in 6th of October City to produce “Proton” cars.

With an investment of approximately $50 million, or 3 billion Egyptian pounds, this factory is designed to have an annual production capacity of up to 40,000 cars.

Production of the Proton Saga models is scheduled to begin in December.

The opening ceremony included prominent attendees such as Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry;

Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia; Engineer Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, Chairman of Ezz Al-Arab Al-Suwaidi Industrial Investment Company; Engineer Ahmed Al-Suwaidi, Chairman of Elsewedy Electric; and Mr. Faisal Al-Bar, Chairman of Proton.

Investment and Growth Plans

Kamel Al-Wazir highlighted that the factory’s initial production goal of 40,000 vehicles annually is expected to double to 80,000 in future phases.

The local production component will reach 48%, and total investment is projected at 3 billion pounds.

The factory’s export targets are also ambitious, with plans to achieve a 10% export rate in the first year, increasing over time.

Al-Wazir underscored the factory’s role in driving Egypt’s automotive sector toward mass production standards, moving beyond assembly into full-scale manufacturing.

This shift is anticipated to attract further local and foreign investment, bolstering Egypt’s industrial landscape.

Additionally, Al-Wazir noted that Egypt is Malaysia’s fifth-largest African trading partner.

Trade between the two nations has risen by 55% recently, with Egyptian exports to Malaysia growing by 35%.

He encouraged Malaysian companies to consider Egypt as a strategic investment destination, offering a gateway to larger markets thanks to Egypt’s extensive network of free trade agreements.

Expansion into Electric Vehicles and Automotive Components

Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, Chairman of Ezz Al-Arab Al-Suwaidi Industrial Investment, announced that actual production at the complex will begin next month, initially focusing on the Proton Saga.

Future plans include manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs), engines, and other automotive components as part of the factory’s diversification strategy.

The complex covers an area of 70,000 square meters. The second phase, expected to start within 15 months, will involve constructing a paint factory.

By the third phase, production capacity is anticipated to reach 80,000 cars annually, with the addition of three new vehicle models.

Strategic Partnership between Ezz Al-Arab and Elsewedy Electric

This project marks a significant partnership between Ezz Al-Arab Investments and Elsewedy Electric, two of Egypt’s leading industrial players.

Ezz Al-Arab Group has a long-standing reputation in the automotive industry, while Elsewedy Electric is recognized globally for its infrastructure and manufacturing expertise, with operations in 31 countries and a workforce of over 18,000.

The collaboration between these two companies represents a milestone in Egypt’s efforts to establish itself as a regional automotive manufacturing hub, paving the way for further industrial growth and innovation.