Achieving sustainable industrialisation in Egypt: assessment of the potential for EIPs

Abstract

This paper explores the prospects of Egypt in achieving sustainable development goal 9 (sustainable industrialisation). It looks at the national policy efforts of the new government and finds that environmentally-sound industrial production and overall sustainable industrial development is a priority in the country's vision. The analysis then takes a closer look at three case studies of attempts of the Egyptian Government to promote sustainable industrial development by establishing or developing eco-industrial parks (Robbiki Eco-Leather Park, El-Safaa Metal Foundries Zone and Shaq Al-Thu'ban Marble Technology Park). The analysis of the three cases outlines a number of factors impeding the success of these attempts; including weak policy and regulatory frameworks, lack of strong enforcement mechanisms, poor planning, lack of financial resources to support the relocation of most vulnerable (smallest) enterprises and the negative impact of informal economy and criminal elements. The paper concludes with several recommendations to overcome these obstacles.

A synthesised framework of eco‐industrial park transformation and stakeholder interaction

“…While firms ultimately retain decision-making power over the establishment and management of exchanges, governmental stakeholders play a significant role in bringing firms to consider the potential of EIP transformation and may provide further support as the project progresses (Costa & Ferrão, 2010). For example, the Egyptian government's desire to implement the sustainable development goals (SDGs) is reflected in its industrial development policy and government-facilitated EIP programme (ElMassah, 2018b). We classify these projects as "top-down" as the projects are facilitated by governmental stakeholders and are typically part of wider industrial modernisation and sustainability initiatives.…”

“…During the Organising stage, the EIP transformation project moves from uncommitted planning to increasingly committed implementation. After the communication between stakeholders in the previous stage, these channels are used to foster commitment and formalise the future of the EIP (Ramsheva et al, 2019), which may be upset by changes in policy if government authorities are heavily involved in the transformation (ElMassah, 2018b;Veiga & Magrini, 2009) or if several government programmes are involved (Zhang et al, 2010). Integrating the needs and goals of different stakeholders while achieving a substantial IS network is critical here to achieve economic and environmental outcomes (Costa & Ferrão, 2010;von Malmborg, 2004).…”

Industrial symbiosis within eco‐industrial parks: Sustainable development for Borg El‐Arab in Egypt

“…In 2015, the government launched an ambitious sustainable development agenda called “Egypt's Vision 2030” aiming to develop a competitive, balanced and diversified economy (Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform, ). While the government is generally supportive of sustainable industrial development, to date, there are no functioning EIPs in Egypt (ElMassah, ). With the largest population in North Africa and in the Arab world, Egypt's economy is growing at a rate of 4.3% per year, according to the World Bank ().…”