A- Public Free Zones :

In Egypt, there are seven Public Free Zones provided with basic infrastructure and utilities. A Public Free Zone is managed by a board of directors, in addition to an administrative organ to provide technical, economic and legal advice and offer all needed facilities concerning establishment of projects and issuing the required licenses.

Land offered in exchange for usufruct (rent) is as follows:-

$3.5 per m2 annually for industrial projects.
$7.0 per m2 annually for other projects (storage & services).
A reduction of 50% on these rates granted to Ismailia Public Free Zone Projects.

B- Private Free Zones :

GAFI issues a decree concerning the establishment of Private Free Zone each of which shall be limited to a single project if its nature so necessitates, according to the following criteria: -
1- Its site must enhance its economic status e.g., near raw material sources or establishment on a site appropriate with the nature of its activity (navigation & maritime transport projects, insurance companies, cement silos …etc).
2- IT should contribute to the establishment of new communities according to the current state policy.
3- Unavailability of requested areas of land for the project in the public free zones.
4- The project must observe all standards and regulations pertaining to the protection of the environment. In this case, the investor determines the site of the private free zone that either can be owned or rented. The authority shall help investors to obtain all necessary infrastructure and utilities needed.

Criteria for a Private Free Zone:

Priority is given to export-oriented industrial projects.
Generating high value added to the domestic production factors.
Applying modern and advanced technology.
Creating more job opportunity.

Projects Transformed to Private Free Zones:

GAFI may approve changing the status of an inland project to a Private Free Zone in accordance with the following parameters:

• Project in operation.
   
• Committed to export not less than 50% of the production.
   
• The project should be in accordance with specifications required.
   

Source : General Authority for Investment and Free Zones