Egypt’s Planning Minister signs a partnership agreement to enhance the private sector’s role in the seawater desalination program in Egypt
22 March 2023
H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development who is also acting as the chairperson of The Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE), witnessed recently the signing of a partnership agreement on enhancing participation by the private sector in the seawater desalination program in Egypt, between TSFE, International Finance Corporation: IFC, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of International Cooperation, and Ayman Suleiman, CEO of TSFE.
During her speech on the signing ceremony’s side-line, Dr. Hala El-Said said that the agreement represents a major step forward in strengthening the strong partnership between the Egyptian government and its main development partners, including the International Finance Corporation and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
She further explained that this partnership has become stronger in recent years and includes a wide range of areas of cooperation.
El-Said added that the signed agreement seeks to advance the water destination program in Egypt, based on the results of COP27 and the events organized during "Water Day” in this regard.
She noted that it also contributes to strengthening Egypt’s efforts to ensure access to safe, clean, and sufficient water. This is the basis for the basic rights of every human being and a cornerstone of achieving the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
El-Said explained that water was an integral part of humanity's progress coupled with accelerated population growth, which has intensified the strain on water resources.
She added that more than half of the world’s population is expected to be at risk of water stress by 2050, noting that the Egyptian state recognizes the inevitability of proper management of water resources to access safe drinking water and adequate water-related water livelihoods, and food security.
El-Said referred to the government's focus on the water sector and defined it as a top development priority and a very significant investment area, pointing out that the government has embarked on implementing an ambitious agenda for integrated water resources management.
She stressed that the government pays much attention to enhancing the participation of the private sector and benefiting from its basic capabilities.
Furthermore, she added that the Egyptian government is working to develop its water desalination program in partnership with many private entities.
Similarly, El-Said added that the role of the private sector in such a program is indispensable to ensure the presence of appropriate expertise in addition to technological know-how and sufficient and sustainable financial resources.
