The World Bank has awarded Egypt a $200m loan to support its air quality monitoring projects, according to Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad. The grant will focus on supporting the Ministry of Environment with accurate devices to monitor air quality, and to complete the infrastructure of the monitoring system. The extensive financing comes as part of the preparations for the Cairo air pollution management project, and to reduce polluting emissions from the waste and transportation sectors. The minister's remarks came during her meeting with the House of Representatives' Committee for Energy and Environment, on Saturday, to review the latest developments related to the state of the environment in the country. The meeting took place during the committee's first session at the House of Representatives on Saturday. During the session, Fouad reviewed her ministry's efforts to reduce air pollution, especially over Greater Cairo. She noted that there are now 108 air quality monitoring stations nationwide, with a focus on monitoring air quality in remote areas of the North Coast, the New Valley, and the Red Sea. Fouad highlighted the importance of the steps taken by Egypt to convert vehicles to natural gas or electricity systems, to reduce polluting emissions of car exhaust. She also noted the Ministry of Environment's efforts to establish an integrated waste management complex in 10th of Ramadan City. The complex will be ready to receive various types of waste from the municipality, whilst also offering demolition and medical services from Cairo, Qaliubeya, and new urban communities for a period of 50 years. It will contribute to improving the waste management process and reducing accumulations and polluting emissions.
