The Egyptian Parliament approved a bill on Sunday amending the law that grants Egyptian nationality to foreign residents in return for depositing 7 million Egyptian pounds ($390,000) in a local bank for a period of five years.
This might be a good news for any country that is trying to attract investors to stay in the country to bring in quick money and help the economy improve.
But for Egypt, a country where there is no education, health care or government services, and the economy is falling while people are struggling to survive, this is not good and was considered by many as a desperate step.
In an attempt to encourage further investment projects in Egypt, most members of the Parliament voted in favour of passing the bill. However, many MPs expressed their strong opposition accusing the government of selling the Egyptian nationality on the cheap.
The decision led Egyptians to social media to express their mixed reactions toward the news.
Translation: “Breaking: The Egyptian consulate in Paris is very crowded with French people applying for the Egyptian nationality after the parliament approved a bill to sell it for 7 million Egyptian pounds.”
Translation: “Did you know that you can be granted the Canadian nationality for $100,000!! While you need $391,000 to obtain the Egyptian one!! Is not this a great achievement? You [Islamic] brotherhood and haters?”
Translation: - We are going to take 7 million EGP from you and grant you the nationality.
What nationality?
The Egyptian Nationality
It does not even worth 1 EGP..”
Meanwhile, many Egyptians went to wonder it this bill applies for all foreigners, including Palestinians and Israelis.
Translation: “I have a question.. Will this law apply for all nationalities around the world? Even the Palestinians and Israelis?”
Some have wondered tat such a bill might be applied to grant Israelis and Palestinians as well, the Egyptian nationality which will allow them to acquire properties in the Sinai peninsula, that is disputed between Israelis and Egyptians.
Translation: “To those who are wondering who might pay $400,000 to be granted the Egyptian nationality, I am telling you, Israelis will do it. They want to be granted the right to own lands, factories and farms in the country like any other Egyptian.”
One of the MPs who strongly imposed the bill, Haitham Al- Hariri argued that the government could facilitate residency and visa procedures for foreign investors, but not provide nationality. Investors are not eager to stay in Egypt, especially in its current deteriorating situation.
Also, pro-government MP Mustafa Bakri voted against the bill and posted on his Twitter saying that "the Egyptian citizenship is not for sale".
Translation: “I have opposed the nationality bill and I will always be against it. The Egyptian nationality is not for sale. We know how the security services will be careful to scrutinize anyone who will apply for the citizenship, but we are worried about our future, and why it is not only restricted on the residence. The Egyptian nationality is sacred and we won’t open Egyp’t doors.”
On the other hand, several supporters defended the bill as there are many countries all over the world offer nationality to their residents with a set of conditions to secure “the seriousness of the request”.
MP Mohammed al-Sewidy, head of Support Egypt Coalition, said the draft law is part of improving the investment climate. He added that Egypt is attractive to people, not only for investment, but also as it has security stability, according to Egypt Independent News.
