On Tuesday, Major General Sameh El-Metwally, Head of Abu Redis City in South Sinai, issued the first digitized and secured building permit. This milestone follows a series of reforms introduced by Egypt’s Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, which have reduced the building permit application process from 15 steps to just 8. The changes are aimed at accelerating procedures and improving service efficiency for citizens.
El-Metwally highlighted that this initiative is part of the Egyptian government’s broader strategy to digitize public services, easing the burden on citizens while enhancing administrative efficiency. The new electronic system facilitates smoother communication between citizens and local administrative bodies, significantly cutting the time required to issue permits.
Expressing his delight at the launch of the new service, El-Metwally praised the Ministry of Housing’s efforts to simplify services for the public. He emphasized that the first issued permit serves as a model for future applications, reflecting ongoing collaboration among all relevant entities to ensure the project’s success and its eventual expansion across Egypt’s cities and governorates.
“This step not only speeds up the construction permit process but also marks a significant shift in how citizens interact with governmental bodies, contributing to a more favorable investment environment,” El-Metwally noted. He stressed that the experience should be extended to other areas of government work in line with the country’s vision for enhancing public services.
The service will soon be available to all citizens in Abu Redis, reflecting the government’s commitment to delivering more efficient and accessible services. El-Metwally also stated that this digitized permit system aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030, ensuring data security and preventing fraud through modern data management technologies. The new system, designed with transparency in mind, safeguards the interests of all parties, ensuring the rights of both citizens and administrative bodies.