RMB discusses expansion in Egypt and meat and poultry processing hub

Dr Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, met Rashid Mohamed Mehran Al Balushi, Chairman of UAE-based RMB Group, to discuss the group’s expansion plans in Egypt and review its meat and poultry processing project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. For the food franchise community, the talks are relevant from a supply chain perspective; they are not an announcement of a new brand or franchise opportunity.

Food processing hub under development in the Suez Canal Economic Zone

According to a report published by Al Borsa newspaper on 28 September 2026, the meeting covered the group’s project currently being implemented in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. It aims to establish an integrated hub for manufacturing and processing meat and poultry products, supporting production and exports. The meeting coincided with the minister’s participation in the Egyptian–French Business Forum in Paris.

The published information places the project at the implementation stage, but gives no operational start date, investment value or target production capacity. It also provides no names of prospective customers or details of the products the hub will supply. The report therefore cannot be treated as an announcement that a new supplier is currently ready to enter into contracts.

The minister and the group’s chairman also discussed co-operation in logistics and the development of food supply chains. This distinguishes the story from news of shop and restaurant openings: its focus is the infrastructure supporting food manufacturing, processing and distribution, rather than new outlets or the granting of brand rights.

Proposal to draw on Rungis Market’s expertise

The meeting also explored proposed co-operation with France’s Rungis Market, drawing on its expertise in developing food trading and distribution systems. According to the published report, discussions included establishing an integrated logistics centre to improve supply chain efficiency, increase the added value of food products and reduce waste.

It is important to distinguish between the status of the meat and poultry hub and that of this proposed co-operation. The source describes the hub as a project under implementation, while presenting co-operation with Rungis Market as a proposal discussed at the meeting. The report does not announce a final agreement, the start of construction of the logistics centre or an implementation timetable.

The available information also does not specify the proposed centre’s location, the scope of its services or its detailed operational relationship with the manufacturing and processing hub. Grouping the two initiatives under food supply chain development should therefore not imply that they form a single, fully defined project or have reached the same stage of implementation.

The proposal’s stated aims, from improving efficiency to reducing waste, remain objectives discussed in the talks rather than measured operational results. The report provides neither waste-reduction targets nor cost indicators that could be used to assess the project’s impact on supply prices.

What do the talks mean for the franchise community?

For those working in food franchising, the development worth monitoring is Egypt’s manufacturing, processing and distribution capacity. The report outlines an investment initiative related to food supply, but does not establish any contractual relationship between RMB and a franchised restaurant or retail chain.

Nor does it announce a franchise offering, terms for joining a commercial network, area development rights or the opening of outlets owned by the group. The expansion under discussion should therefore be read as news about a food project and potential logistics services, not as an advertised franchise opportunity whose fees and returns can be assessed.

As the project progresses, brand owners and operators can focus on practical questions left unanswered by the published report: When will operations begin? Which products will be available? How will supply and distribution services be organised? Will arrangements for serving local customers be announced? These are questions for future verification, not confirmed project details.

Similarly, the stated aim of supporting production and exports is not enough to establish how much of the hub’s output will serve the domestic market, its export destinations or whether particular types of customer will take priority. Any commercial assessment requires information beyond the announcement of talks.

Official follow-up and next steps awaiting announcement

In the context of meetings with international companies, the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade emphasised the ministry’s commitment to co-ordinating with the relevant authorities to follow up on companies’ plans and facilitate procedures within the applicable rules. He also highlighted efforts to connect investors with available opportunities and local suppliers, supporting increased investment, production and exports.

This statement does not announce a franchise-specific regulatory change or a particular new approval for the project. The next developments worth monitoring are the release of operational details for the hub, clarification of the proposed co-operation with Rungis Market, and announcements of actual services or contracts that can be assessed.

Practical takeaway: Monitor the project as a potential development in food supply, but do not base sourcing or outlet expansion decisions on the talks alone. Wait for published operational information, service terms and contractual conditions.