Egypt’s Ministerial Group for Industrial Development, approved the issuance of licences to establish three new cement factories, each with a single production line (photo: Beni Suef Cement plant). The approval is intended to meet domestic demand and ensure the availability of cement at reasonable prices. The new licences form part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen industrial production capacity and prepare for potential large-scale demand in the coming period, including the rebuilding of Gaza. However, already other expansion projects were announced at several existing cement plants, despite existing over-capacities in the country.