Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development Kamel El-Wazir and Local Development Minister Manal Awad inspected a $200 million World Bank-financed integrated waste management complex in 10th of Ramadan City, the Cabinet said Thursday. The project is designed to process municipal, industrial, medical and construction waste using advanced technologies, with the aim of cutting landfill use to a minimum, reducing emissions from open burning and vehicles, and supporting Egypt's shift to a green economy. El-Wazir said the project's success depends on boosting recycling, setting up factories to convert waste into fertilisers, energy and alternative fuels, and reducing rejected waste to near zero. He also called for specialised plants to turn demolition debris into building materials such as tiles, bricks and cement. He urged faster road connections to the site in coordination with the General Authority for Roads, Bridges and Land Transport to improve accessibility and operational efficiency. Awad, who also serves as acting environment minister, said all engineering designs for the complex had been completed and construction was under way, stressing the need for speedy delivery of infrastructure works to allow for full economic use of all types of waste. The World Bank-backed project also includes closure and rehabilitation of Cairo's Abu Zaabal dumpsite, construction of transfer stations in Cairo and Qalyubia governorates, and sanitary landfills, the Cabinet said. The statement added that the project is aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030 strategy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and will improve air quality, reduce climate impacts and create opportunities for private sector participation. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
