The Egyptian Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, convened on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the New Administrative Capital, approving several key decisions. One of the primary outcomes was the extension of the period for submitting applications to settle certain building violations for an additional six months. This decision allows individuals who were unable to complete the reconciliation procedures within the initially stipulated timeframe to finalize their applications and documentation.
The extension, which begins on November 5, 2026, aims to regularize the status of buildings with violations in accordance with the legal framework governing such matters. Additionally, the Cabinet approved extending the period for receiving applications to regularize the status of state-owned lands for an additional six months, given that the current period was set to expire. This move is expected to provide relief to those struggling with land ownership issues.
In a separate decision, the Cabinet agreed to extend the duration of the "Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold" exhibition in London. The exhibition, which is being held at the Neon Battersea Power Station, will now run until January 3, 2027, instead of concluding on August 30, 2026. This four-month extension was granted in response to the significant turnout of visitors and the exhibition's popularity. The show features approximately 180 archaeological pieces.
The Cabinet also addressed several other matters during its meeting. It was informed of the approval by the New Urban Communities Authority to allocate land plots to 43 companies through a sale in US dollars, in accordance with established controls and mechanisms. These allocations span various new cities, including Cairo, 10th of Ramadan, 6th of October, and others, for commercial, urban, residential, administrative, educational, hotel, and service projects.
Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the request from the Damietta governorate to contract with the Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH) for an investment project. This project involves establishing a 4-star hotel with 155 rooms on a 5,800 square-meter plot owned by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. The initiative aims to maximize the utilization of lands owned by the Ministry and achieve optimal investment returns.
The meeting also resulted in the approval of a 30-year concession for the management of the Port Said hotel, formerly known as "Helnan," to a company within the Pick Albatros group. This decision was made following a study by the Ministry of Finance. Other approvals included the regulatory framework for the remaining housing units in the 111 buildings project in the Muhammad Mehrain area of Port Said and additional clauses for the "Housing for All Egyptians" program.
In additional decisions, the Cabinet consented to the Egyptian Tax Authority engaging with Ernst & Young Egypt to provide consultative studies for the mechanization of core tax operations over a 15-month period. The government also agreed to cover the amusement tax for several cultural and artistic events during the 2026/2027 season. Moreover, the Cabinet reviewed the annual report of the Health Accreditation and Supervision Authority, highlighting significant achievements in health sector oversight and training.
Key points
- The Egyptian government has extended the settlement period for building violations by six months.
- The "Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold" exhibition in London has been extended until January 3, 2027.
- The Cabinet approved several investment projects and regulatory adjustments across various sectors.
