Egypt's Ministry of Planning and Economic Development signed agreements for the fifth stage of developing the solid waste infrastructure across the governorates of Matrouh, Beheira, Damietta, Sharqia, and Giza, the Egyptian Cabinet stated on Monday. The agreement includes establishing five new sanitary landfills in various cities across the country, including Brani in Matrouh, Badr in Beheira, Abu Garidah in Damietta, Bilbeis in Sharqia, and Shabramant in Giza. The project, estimated to cost around 480 million Egyptian pounds, will be executed by the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation according to approved technical specifications and detailed drawings. Additionally, the initiative includes clearing over 500,000 tonnes of accumulated garbage from several dumps at a cost of 85 million pounds. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, stressed the crucial role of the waste management system in meeting environmental development goals, supporting the UN's goals and Egypt's 2030 vision, and enhancing resource sustainability in Egypt's progression towards a green economy. El-Said also highlighted the Ministry's focus on integrating environmental and climate dimensions into the state's development plans. This includes launching and adopting an environmental sustainability standards guide, greening the investment plan, and increasing the proportion of green public investments from 15 per cent in 2021 to 40 per cent in the current year (2024), aiming for 50 per cent by 2025. The Minister added that the new waste management system will provide clean energy sources through recycling technology aimed at generating power, as well as creating new job opportunities for a large sector of the youth.
