German technology THE EGYPTIAN-German Technology Conference and Exhibition is scheduled to be held in Cairo from 2-4 October. Organised by the German Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GACIC), the conference and exhibition will encourage cooperation between German companies. It will offer the latest technologies and will help Egyptian companies which are looking for the transfer of technology and the establishment of joint projects. Germany is one of the primary providers of machinery to the Egyptian market. Capital goods and machinery represented 11.6 per cent of Egypt's imports in 2004, an increase of around 17 per cent compared to the previous year. This is expected to increase as the Egyptian economy continues to grow. Siemens in Upper Egypt SIEMENS Egypt Communications Enterprise is in the process of computerising 570 preparatory schools in Upper Egypt. The company won the contractual right after a bid from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in June. Siemens will provide 4,560 computers to schools in the New Valley, Minya, Assiut, Sohag, Luxor and Aswan governorates. Valued at LE12.6 million, the project is part of Siemens' long-term commitment to provide Egypt with infrastructure development in an effort to upgrade the country's technological capabilities. Siemens Communications is one of the largest players in the global telecommunications industry. More natural gas THE EGYPTIAN Natural Gas Company (GASCO) is set to receive some 50 million euros from the European Investment Bank's (EIB) Facility for Euro- Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP) for the extension of two gas pipelines with a combined length of 152km in Egypt. The pipelines will form part of the national gas transmission system, which transports natural gas from Egyptian offshore and onshore gas production fields to destinations throughout the country. The aim of the project is to deliver natural gas to major power plants, industries and domestic consumers, as well as to strengthen the gas transmission system. The project involves the design, construction, commissioning and commercial operation of the two gas pipelines. The gas sector is one of the major Egyptian sectors supported by the EIB. Previous EIB financed gas projects in Egypt include the LNG plant at Idku and Damietta, the two gas pipelines that run along the Suez Canal and the natural gas fired combined-cycle power plant at Nubariya. In 2004, FEMIP lent a record 2.2 billion euros to Mediterranean Countries, 688 million of which went to Egypt. Moreover, aid provided to Egypt under FEMIP's Technical Assistance Fund totalled 13.8 million euros.
