(Photo Ministry of Environment Handout)
Minister of Environment Khaled Fahmy held talks Tuesday with computer software giant Microsoft on applying electronic information systems for environmental monitoring to observe violations.
The electronic monitoring systems would help the ministry inspect nature reserves, waste system of facilities and factories, overfishing in reserves and Nile pollution, a ministry statement said.
The Ministry of Environment is also looking to develop a monitoring system for the process of transferring coal and vehicle exhaust emissions. The system will link with the Ministry of Interior’s traffic department, the statement added.
Despite the Ministry of Environment’s opposition, the interim government approved in April the use of coal in the industrial sector to address the energy shortage. The approval came pending the endorsement of the Environmental Impact Assessment, which is under the ministry.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Fahmy stressed the importance of cooperation with Microsoft to support training systems within the ministry to increase the efficiency of monitoring systems and improve decision-making.
