At a pivotal industry meeting, Egypt’s Association of Real Estate Developers (arD) emphasized the urgent need for reforms to stabilize the property market and foster investor confidence. Chief among their demands: flexible land pricing, streamlined licensing, and currency choice flexibility.
Developers warned that sudden and unpredictable changes in land valuation make financial planning and feasibility studies increasingly volatile and risky. They urged the government to revisit land pricing frameworks to ensure consistency and predictability in project investments.
On licensing, participants called for sector-specific facilitation, noting that residential, touristic, and commercial developments each warrant differentiated regulatory handling—standardization, they argue, would reduce delays and enhance efficiency.
Perhaps most controversially, the real estate community voiced concerns over the exclusive denomination of land prices in U.S. dollars. While international financing sometimes necessitates foreign currency, they cautioned that pegging all valuations to the dollar discourages local buyers and affects market competitiveness. As a remedy, developers want the option to conduct property sales in foreign currencies, such as dollars or euros—citing Saudi Arabia as a successful model that allows such flexibility.
These reforms, they argue, will not only ease regulatory burdens but also attract diverse investment, both local and international—ultimately bolstering the sector’s resilience.
