CAIRO — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi opened April 1 Gypto Pharma City in Khanka in Greater Cairo, which is one of the largest pharmaceutical cities in the Middle East. 

The city spans over an area of 182,000 square meters (45 acres). Sisi inaugurated the first phase of the city, which covers an area of 120,000 square meters (30 acres). The remaining area dedicated to the manufacture of cancer drugs and hormones will be inaugurated at a later stage, which has yet to be set. 

According to an April 1 statement by the Egyptian government, through Gypto Pharma City Egypt aims at bolstering cooperation between the government and the private sector to turn itself into a regional hub for the manufacture of medicines in the Middle East.

The statement indicated that the pharmaceutical city aims to elevate the system of good manufacture and implement higher global quality standards, all the while giving attention to trained staff capable of using new technology. It strives to become “the state arm in promoting the health system,” the statement continued.