 |
Al-Ahram Weekly 10 - 16 February 2000 Issue No. 468 
|
||
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
| ||
|
Al-Ahram Weekly 10 - 16 February 2000 Issue No. 468
|
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
| ||
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Focus Profile Travel Books Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Water projects under scrutiny
PRESIDENT Hosni Mubarak continued his series of meetings with cabinet committees charged with water and mega projects.
During a two-hour meeting on Saturday with members of the Irrigation and Water Resources Committee, Mubarak reviewed Egypt's water policies for the next 17 years. The strategy is based on several policies: capitalising on available water resources, protecting water quality, preventing pollution and developing water resources in cooperation with other Nile basin countries. Discussions also focussed on six water projects in Suez, Sinai, the Western Desert, the North Coast and Upper Egypt, all aimed at increasing Egypt's reclaimed desert land to 4.3 million feddans. Large, medium and small investors are being tapped for the millions of pounds needed. Foreign loans and grants are also expected from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Germany Switzerland, France, the World Bank and Arab development funds.
On Tuesday, the Mega-Projects Committee discussed the industrial zone planned northwest of the Gulf of Suez. The president said the zone should be given priority among the many mega projects under way. Studies have shown how important the zone will be for world trade and its potential to attract investors. It will house several industrial schemes, including those dealing with mechanics, electronics, petrochemicals and textile production lines. It will also serve as a gateway to African, Asian and Middle East markets.
