The government has initiated phase one of the Safaga Metallurgical Port (Abo Tartor) development in partnership with the private sector, according to cabinet spokesman Hossam El-Kawish. On Tuesday, the cabinet gained approval to initiate phase one of the project, which is set to take place in two phases and is set to cost EGP 2.5m. The project will serve as a metallurgical and industrial port, El-Kawish said, confirming that the project's studies will be conducted in cooperation with the private sector. El-Kawish added that the port is to create small, specialised, industrial, and integrated projects with their logistics, transport, and storage requirements to reduce supply chain costs for these industries. This will take place through exploiting untapped lands inside the port which is estimated at about 810,000 square metres. El-Kawish also said the project will focus on industrial initiatives that rely on the port's main business of phosphate ore. It will also focus on other projects that fulfil the port's direct and indirect needs. The Golden Triangle industrial zone project will be included as well. "The role of the private sector for this project includes funding, construction, maintenance, and operation of these projects as well as transferring ownership when the proposed contract term for projects inside the port ends," he added. El-Kawish affirmed that the government will provide land, all necessary official approvals, and service level classification, in addition to equipping and marketing the industrial zones. The state will also monitor performance and contract management and develop mechanisms to regulate utilities. According to El-Kawish, the approvals issued during the PPP meeting held on Tuesday, also included construction of the Smouha Maternity University Hospital and Blood Bank and Al-Mowasa Specialised Hospital. The construction will occur in partnership with the private sector to provide new hospitals at Alexandria University and offer health services required by residents of Alexandria governorate and other neighbouring governorates. The Supreme Committee of PPP includes ministries of commerce, industry, housing, finance, higher education, transport, and investment. The government must rely on partnership with the private sector in order to build a number of projects to make use of the private sector's potential to operate huge investment and services projects, said El-Kawish. Ater Hanoura, head of PPP, stated that the projects undertaken in partnership with the private sector are limited to the infrastructure, utilities, and services sectors. All government projects that are researching funding through private sector partnerships are currently being studied.
