Vice Minister of Housing Meets with Spanish-Egyptian Alliance to Discuss Water and Sanitation Projects Collaboration

Dr. Sayed Ismail, Vice Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, met with representatives of a Spanish-Egyptian alliance specialized in water and wastewater project design, execution, operation, and maintenance. The meeting aimed to explore cooperation opportunities within the ministry’s infrastructure projects, with representatives from the ministry’s project management unit also in attendance.

This meeting followed the directives of Minister Sherif El-Sherbini to enhance private sector involvement in water and wastewater projects and to encourage private investment in Egypt, in line with the State Ownership Policy Document.

The Spanish representatives presented their global expertise in water desalination, wastewater treatment, and industrial wastewater management projects. They expressed readiness to contribute to Egypt’s ongoing efforts in the sector, aligning with the country’s strategic vision for the next decade.

Dr. Ismail emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in executing Egypt’s water and sanitation plans. He referred to the 2022 State Ownership Policy Document, which outlines the state’s gradual withdrawal from desalination and sludge management projects over the next five years.

He highlighted previous successful collaborations, such as the New Cairo Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was developed with the private sector, and ongoing operations at the Gabal El Asfar plant, one of the largest wastewater treatment facilities in the world.

The Vice Minister also discussed Egypt’s strategic plan for water desalination through 2050, which aims to produce 9 million cubic meters of water per day across 11 coastal governorates. The initial phase, currently underway, includes the construction of 29 desalination plants.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the ministry’s commitment to facilitating private sector involvement in water and wastewater management, particularly in Egypt’s new cities.