The Egyptian Junior Business Association on Sunday signed an agreement with the environmental compliance office to carry out a number of renewable energy projects in the coming years, according to an environment ministry statement. The agreement was signed during the Conference for Sustainability and Responsibility for Business Communities, hosted by Minister of Environment Laila Iskandar and Minister of Foreign Trade, Industry and Investments Mounir Fakhry AbdelNour. The conference, organised by the Egyptian Junior Business Association in cooperation with the environment compliance office and under the framework of the "Alashan Bokra" (For Tomorrow) initiative, was attended by Presidential Media Adviser Ahmed El-Moslimany and Dr. Sherif El-Gabaly, the chairman of the environmental compliance office. Among the topics discussed in the conference were the development of entrepreneurial businesses in the environment sector and the future of investment in the energy sector. El- Gabaly said real development could not be achieved without focusing on the concept of sustainability and investment opportunities, especially in recycling projects. Iskandar stressed the importance of "encouraging organisations that support the same cause" of renewable energy, such as the Egyptian Junior Business Association. She referred to an agreement with cement companies to utilise solid and agricultural waste – estimated at around 35,000 tons of rice straw – as a substitute for other fuels in the operation of their factories. Under the agreement, the environmental compliance office would provide technical and financial support for waste recycling projects to be implemented by the business association over the next three years with the help of both Egyptian and foreign expertise.
