The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) officially inaugurated Egypt’s first SPEEDUP Hub at its Alamein Campus on 30 August 2026. The opening took place during the first day of the 5th International Logistics Camp, held under the theme “Resilience in Global Trade Logistics”. The Alamein Hub is the first of two SPEEDUP Hubs to be operated by AASTMT in Egypt, with the second planned for Abu Qir/Alexandria.

The SPEEDUP Alamein Hub will serve as a physical point of access to the project’s acceleration activities, connecting SMEs, startups and entrepreneurial projects with structured support. Through locally delivered training, mentoring, business guidance, visibility support and access to relevant experts, the Hub will help participating enterprises strengthen their business readiness, ESG practices, and green and circular economy capabilities.

By connecting local support with SPEEDUP’s wider transnational hub network, the Alamein Hub contributes to the project’s broader objective of enhancing the sustainable growth and competitiveness of new and existing SMEs and supporting job creation across the Mediterranean.

The opening programme included remarks by Dr. Heba Al-Ashry, Director of the AASTMT Entrepreneurship Center; Eng. Mohamed Hanno, Board Member of the Alexandria Business Association; and Dr. Walid Eid, Head of the Entrepreneurship Committee at the Alexandria Business Association. The remarks were followed by the official inauguration, a tour of the Hub and an introduction to its planned services.

AASTMT’s work to establish and activate the two Egyptian SPEEDUP Hubs brings together Prof. Sara El Gazzar, Dean of the College of International Transport and Logistics; Dr. Sandra Haddad, Dean of the College of International Transport and Logistics at Alamein Campus; and Dr. Heba Al-Ashry, Director of the AASTMT Entrepreneurship Center. The initiative is also supported by Prof. Yasser Gaber Dessouky, Dean of Scientific Research and Innovation, and members of the SPEEDUP project team, bringing together academic, campus and entrepreneurship expertise as the Alamein Hub moves into programme delivery.

The opening also highlighted the role of the Alexandria Business Association (ABA) as a potential business ecosystem partner. Cooperation with ABA will support connections between participating enterprises and member companies, sector expertise, mentors, practical market insights and networking opportunities, contributing to the development of a stronger support environment for entrepreneurs and SMEs in Egypt.