In a high-level meeting this week, Egypt’s Minister of Local Development, Dr. Manal Awad, and Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, convened at the Ministry of Local Development to assess the progress of the nation’s integrated solid waste management system and accelerate cooperation on environmental licensing procedures tied to commercial business operations.
The inter-ministerial session brought together senior officials from both ministries and underscored Egypt’s continued commitment to environmental sustainability and administrative modernization. This cooperation is aligned with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directive to establish a resilient and sustainable national waste management framework and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s mandate for continual improvement of sanitation and environmental services nationwide.
Bolstering Financial Sustainability and Private Sector Engagement
Central to the discussion was the need to ensure the financial sustainability of Egypt’s waste management infrastructure, especially with regard to the funding of ongoing projects and timely disbursement of dues to private sector contractors operating in waste collection and street cleaning. Both ministers emphasized the necessity of coordinated action between the Ministries of Finance, Planning, Electricity, Environment, and Local Development to guarantee the long-term viability and quality of sanitation services.
The meeting reviewed the execution status of key infrastructure projects across multiple governorates, including the construction of intermediate waste stations, treatment and recycling facilities, sanitary landfills, and the procurement of waste collection and transport equipment.
With the approach of Eid al-Adha and the summer tourism season, Dr. Awad and Dr. Fouad stressed the importance of maintaining optimal cleanliness standards in major urban centers such as Cairo and Alexandria. The ministries pledged to overcome operational challenges facing private sector firms and reinforce both environmental and financial sustainability in their services.
Advancing the Kitchener Drain Rehabilitation Project
The officials also examined the latest updates on the EU-funded Kitchener Drain rehabilitation project—one of Egypt’s most ambitious environmental remediation initiatives. Special attention was given to the solid waste management component being implemented in the governorates of Gharbia, Kafr El-Sheikh, and Dakahlia. The ministers committed to expediting completion of project milestones within the set timeframes to maximize environmental and public health benefits.
Streamlining Environmental Permits for Business Licensing
In a significant move to improve Egypt’s business climate, the ministers addressed reforms tied to Law No. 154 on Public Shops, specifically efforts to simplify environmental impact assessments required for commercial activity licenses.
The discussion explored how the Ministries of Environment and Local Development can collaborate more efficiently to determine the nature of business activities, associated environmental requirements, cost estimates, and permit timelines. The ultimate goal is to streamline procedures, encourage responsible investment, and reduce bureaucratic obstacles without compromising environmental safeguards.
Dr. Fouad reiterated the government’s commitment to facilitating investment through predictable and transparent regulatory frameworks, while Dr. Awad emphasized the importance of encouraging private sector participation in operating and managing completed waste infrastructure projects—thereby ensuring long-term returns on state investments.
Toward a Greener, More Competitive Egypt
The joint ministerial meeting reflects Egypt’s broader strategy of integrating environmental sustainability with economic modernization. As the nation moves to meet its Vision 2030 sustainable development goals, initiatives like these signal a shift toward more inclusive governance, evidence-based planning, and enhanced public-private collaboration.
During its general session chaired by Counselor Dr. Hanafy El-Gebaly, the House of Representatives approved a financing and grant agreement worth €61.5 million—equivalent to approximately EGP 3.47 billion—for the implementation of Phase III of the Al-Gabal Al-Asfar Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.
The agreement includes: €50 million in concessional financing and a €1.5 million grant from the French Development Agency (AFD), in addition to a €10 million grant from the European Union.
By advancing both ecological stewardship and business ease, Egypt is positioning itself as a regional model for green economic development—where clean cities and streamlined regulations go hand in hand.
