Environment .... Discusses with representatives of the Saudi FAS company, investment opportunities in converting waste to energy/garedt ahhram elmasry news

 Books: Hussein Sobeih

 Yasmine Fouad: We seek to create added value for private sector participation in environmental work

 Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, met with representatives of the Saudi FAS Company to discuss investment opportunities in converting waste to energy, within the framework of Egypt's desire for ways of this field, especially after the issuance of the tariff of waste transfer for energy of 140 piasters / kilowatt, and the issuance of the first law regulating waste management in Egypt.

 During the meeting, the Minister of Environment emphasized that the concept of dealing with the environment has witnessed a major transformation in Egypt recently, by working in two parallel tracks: limiting the sources of pollution, and working to create a generation aware of the importance of natural resources and their preservation to ensure their sustainability and able to face environmental challenges.  So the environment has become a fundamental factor with investment and development, and the role of private sector participation in environmental investment and the implementation of green projects has emerged.

 Yasmine Fouad indicated that the Ministry of Environment seeks to create added value for the private sector to participate in environmental work and create green job opportunities, which helps to develop the environment, sustain its resources and advance investment, explaining that after Egypt announced the entry into the field of converting waste to energy, we held several meetings with companies and investors.  To listen to their views and suggestions on the procedures and mechanisms that are set up and the obstacles they face, to be taken into account in the policies and procedures, and in the executive regulations of the waste law that the Ministry of Environment is currently working on.

 The minister explained that the Ministry of Environment has a number of success stories in dealing with environmental challenges with an economic thought, including the success in controlling the phenomenon of the black cloud by limiting the burning of rice straw by maximizing the economic return from it, and providing presses for farmers to convert it into products that are easy to use economically, and the ministry expands.  Currently, in applying this thought in maximizing the benefit from different types of agricultural waste, such as reed and corn stover.

 Dr. Yasmine added that economic thinking is also being applied in dealing with the problem of medical waste and turning it into an investment opportunity, in a way that facilitates safe disposal and creates investment opportunities for the private sector, in addition to involving the private sector in the sustainable management of natural reserves, as infrastructure development has begun.  It may take measures to increase its financial resources and offer opportunities for private sector participation.