The circular blue economy in Egypt: opportunities for regional cooperation and integration with Mediterranean countries for sustainable development

Leonardo Piccinetti (), Tarek Y. S. Kapiel (), Nahed Salem (), Trevor Uyi Omoruyi (), Alexia Massa Gallucci (), Maghraby Khalil Elseify (), Alaa A. El-Bary () and Mohamed Ramadan A. Rezk ()
Additional contact information
Leonardo Piccinetti: Sustainabile Innovation Technology Services Ltd, Ireland
Tarek Y. S. Kapiel: Cairo University, Egypt
Nahed Salem: Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Egypt
Trevor Uyi Omoruyi: University of Chester, United Kingdom
Alexia Massa Gallucci: Blue EcoTech Ltd., Italy
Maghraby Khalil Elseify: Sustainabile Innovation Technology Services Ltd, Ireland
Alaa A. El-Bary: Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Egypt
Mohamed Ramadan A. Rezk: Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Egypt

Insights into Regional Development, 2025, vol. 7, issue 3, 104-122

Abstract: This study examines the possibility of the Circular Blue Economy in Egypt to support sustainable development and the usage of its renewable resources, focusing on possibilities for regional collaboration, particularly in the Mediterranean region. The study's methodology was an analysis of missing policies, identifying key actors, and an expert survey to identify future collaborations and opportunities, which included 20 experts from diverse sectors. Current policies in Egypt (e.g., Egypt Vision 2030) and the Mediterranean region were analyzed against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14) and regional initiatives such as BLUEMED and SwitchMed, highlighting shortcomings in cooperation, investment, and environmental measures. The main parties, including the Egyptian government, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the private sector, and local communities, were grouped according to their level of interest and influence. Findings indicate that Egypt's strategic location and extensive coastline are suited to drive regional efforts in maritime tourism, aquaculture, and maritime transport. Yet, problems, including marine litter and underfunding, continue. Experts also support the creation of regional cooperation platforms and joint pollution monitoring systems. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to integrate circular economy concepts into government strategies, strengthen collaboration across the region, and establish a collaborative and innovation-based ocean governance model. The paper presents new ideas to support regional integration and suggests additional studies on sustainable financing mechanisms.

Keywords: circular blue economy; Egypt; Mediterranean; sustainable development; regional cooperation; policy gap analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O10 O55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ssi:jouird:v:7:y:2025:i:3:p:104-122

DOI: 10.70132/z7939837925

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