The Northwest Coast Development Project is among the vast developmental and multidimensional projects currently run by the government, according to a statement made by Minister of Tourism, Hisham Zaazou. Zaazou said that the project will serve both tourism and agricultural purposes in the northwest coast hinterlands, increasing population density in the Delta through big environmental projects for industrial communities. During his visit to the north coast on 23 August for the inauguration of a new hotel, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb announced the implementation of the Northwest Coast Development Project. The northwest coast extends from El Alamein to Salloum (approximately 500km), and its hinterland desert extends to over 280km in depth, boasting approximately 160,000 square km in surface area. Mehleb, said the different resources of the northwest coast region provide hope to absorb its the Delta's population increase over the next 40 years, which is estimated to reach around 34 million individuals. The projects set for implementation within the plan will also provide roughly 11m job opportunities until their completion in 2052. The Northwest Coast Development Project will generate annual economic growth of at least 12%. The government is hoping to provide housing to at least 5 million individuals and around 1.5m job opportunities. The project also aims to improve social and living conditions for the local communities in order for the human development index not to fall below 77%. It also aims to develop infrastructure networks and boost exchange between the area under study and other nearby regions.
