On Wednesday evening, Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, met with Ms. Sue Barrett, Head of Infrastructure for Europe and the Middle East at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), along with her accompanying delegation. The meeting aimed to explore ways to strengthen cooperation between the ministry and the bank, one of the key international partners in the ministry’s projects.
At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Sherif El-Sherbiny welcomed Ms. Sue Barrett and the attendees, expressing his appreciation for the occasion. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Housing’s commitment to expanding cooperation and effective coordination with various institutions that support the implementation of development projects.
During the discussion, the Minister highlighted the projects the EBRD contributes to financing and implementation, particularly in the utilities sector. Among these projects is the wastewater treatment development project for villages polluting Lake Qarun in Fayoum Governorate, benefiting 44 villages. Additionally, the sanitation services program in Kafr El-Sheikh serves 62 villages. He expressed his aspiration to further enhance this cooperation by including a variety of projects in the ministry’s areas of work.
Ms. Sue Barrett expressed her pleasure in meeting with the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, praising the ongoing cooperation between both sides, especially in light of Egypt’s efforts toward development and progress. She emphasized that the bank seeks to support the ministry’s development projects to promote economic growth. The meeting addressed various fields of collaboration between the ministry and the EBRD and explored ways to strengthen this partnership in light of significant advancements in the infrastructure sector since 2014. The discussion also discussed the importance of ensuring the sustainability of drinking water and sanitation services and projects that create new job opportunities, including those under the “Decent Life” initiative for developing rural Egypt.
The meeting also included discussions on the EBRD’s visions and proposals and the possibility of cooperating in various ongoing projects in the housing and utilities sectors.
After the meeting, both parties emphasized the importance of communication and coordination in identifying upcoming project priorities. These projects will be implemented in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development across various sectors under the Ministry of Housing’s responsibility, paving the way for the commencement of execution procedures.
