Egypt launched its special economic zone (SEZ) program with the passage of Law 83 of 2002. The first zone, the Suez Canal Economic Zone, was established at the Sokhna Port at the southern entrance to the Suez Canal.

In 2005, Locus founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier helped review and revise the SEZ program strategy while serving as a senior technical advisor and peer reviewer at the World Bank.

Jean-Paul's work helped pave the way for the growth of the zone, which has since been developed by the Tianjin Economic Technological Development Area Investment Holdings, with minority ownership from Egyptian partners. By 2013, 49 companies had invested a total of $358 million and employed more than 1,800 workers. The zone includes banking, catering, and customs clearing facilities as value-added services.