The company "بلبن" officially announced today, on Friday, the closure of all its 110 branches in Egypt. "We are addressing the competent authorities with a request for assistance. Our company’s operations have been completely suspended inside Egypt after the closure of all 110 of our branches, as well as factories and objects involving 25 thousand Egyptians," the company said in a statement.
"Yes, all branches and factories of the company were completely closed, and all operations inside Egypt, which were the heart of a successful and respected Egyptian project, were completely discontinued," the company added. "We, the company 'بلبن', are a national entity, grown with 100% Egyptian roots, and we have expanded to nine Arab countries, achieving for several years a success that can be considered an honorable Egyptian model in the field of food and beverage industry, a model that proves that Egypt is capable of successful investment initiatives, and placing them across the entire Arab world. 'بلبن' has become a symbol, which is proudly indicated in many regional and international publications and platforms, like an outstanding example, born in the heart of Egypt, and achieving success thanks to the will of God and a supportive investment environment, maintaining a governmental policy that is keen on supporting youth and internal investments".
The company clarified that this coincided with an indecipherable crisis, threatening its complete destruction. "The closing of all branches and factories of the company 'بلبن' inside Egypt led to the complete halt of all operations, absence of a possibility for continuing work or fulfilling operational obligations, and despite our constant attempts to communicate and seek resolutions through official channels, we have so far been unable to find a clear exit from this crisis, and have not received a clear understanding of the reasons, nor the mechanisms of their resolution, which led the company and its employees into a full paralytic state".
The company stressed that it is facing a massive threat, stating: "Today, the company 'بلبن' faced a total encompassing threat, as huge operational and financial obligations accumulate daily, and 25 thousand employees inside and outside Egypt find themselves under the threat of losing their source of income, supply chains and hundreds of suppliers and partner factories… all of them are in danger".
The company pointed out that "بلبن" is not just a company, but a holistic Egyptian entity, playing an effective role in supporting the national economy through employment, investments, and regional expansion, and all our activities in Arab countries, where we work, depend on what is produced and managed from Egypt. Any halt in the operations of 'بلبن' inside the country reflects not only on the local market but directly leads to the halt of our operations abroad, threatening our regional presence and our existence in Arab markets".
The company concluded that it is ready to undergo full examination and audit, and stated: "We clearly and openly declare that we are ready to undergo full examination and audit of all kinds, and welcome any committee, oversight body, or legal action from the state, and ask only for us to be provided with a real possibility and reasonable term for correcting the identified observations, so we can rise again on our feet and continue our work".
The company confirmed its position justified by trust in political leadership: "Our faith in your leadership has no limits, and we are sure that the Egyptian state under your wise leadership will not allow the destruction of a successful project and will not accept that its citizens are excluded when they chose the path of creating success out of their country's industry".
