Egyptian enterprises win accolades for making 2006 a model year of clean production. Mahmoud Bakr reports Making profit while keeping the environment clean has always been a challenge for Egyptian enterprises. However, lately hopes have been high that such an equation could be worked as the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs (MSEA) praised the implementation, by small and big industrial enterprises, of clean production regulations. In January 2007, Minister of State for Environmental Affairs Maged George launched a new unit at Abu Qir Fertilisers that would bring down N2O, a greenhouse gas by the equivalent of nearly 1.8 million tonnes annually of CO2 (N2O is more harmful to the environment than CO2). According to Mohamed Abdallah, CEO of Abu Qir Fertilizers, "another condensation unit costing some 2.4 million euros is expected to treat 50 cubic metres per hour of the condensed vapour emitted by the air purification section of the ammonia plant. This would reduce pollution in the Abu Qir gulf by almost 90 per cent." The World Bank is financing the effort to bring down the levels of nitric oxides emitted by Abu Qir Fertilisers. The project, which started in March 2000, has reduced harmful nitrogen emissions from 200 milligrams per cubic metre, to the current 20 milligrams. The minister of state for environmental affairs asserts that environmental projects promote sustainable development, by creating jobs and improving living standards. Active in technology transfer, sustainable development plans, the sale of authorised carbon reduction certificates and public health matters, MSEA is also assisting businesses in improving work conditions, and efficiency. Egypt had signed the Kyoto Protocol for the reduction of greenhouse gases on 12 January 2005, one month before the protocol went into effect. Since then, Egypt has established several bodies to supervise the process, including the Egyptian Council for Clean Development, which has approved 22 projects -- valued at $950 million -- and is expected to approve ten more in the near future. Europe is also involved in the effort to bring down greenhouse gas emissions in Egypt. Both Britain and Denmark are helping clean the domestic industry with funds as well as expertise. According to UK Ambassador Sir Derek Plumbly, Britain and Egypt are currently cooperating in projects worth some $42 million. Few years ago, Denmark has also provided a grant of 69 million krones to Egypt's environment sector. Egypt is managing the clean production efforts through a number of bodies, most of which are affiliated with the MSEA. One such body is the Office for Environmental Commitment (OEC) which encourages clean production, energy efficiency, industrial safety, environmental investment, and commitment to environmental regulations. "The OEC is providing consultations to industrial firms, building capacity, and offering a wide range of environmental support," said Sherif El-Gabali, who heads the OEC steering committee and the environmental committee of the Federation of Industries. The OEC provides environmental impact assessment, as well as low-cost solutions to environmental problem. It also offers options for achieving industrial commitment, and evaluation of the best available technology. Ahmed Kamal, who works for the OEC, says that the office helps industries select equipment, in addition to assessing training needs, and building capacity. The OEC also arranges loans for clean production through the National Bank of Egypt.
