By Ahmed Amer and Rehab Saber
Total Egypt plans to establish 10 petrol stations this year in Egypt, with two stations set to be opened this month, according to the company’s Communications and PR Manager, Tarek El-Kordi.
El-Kordi added that Total Egypt has 337 petrol stations across the country, adding that the cost of establishing a station varies between EGP 500,000 and EGP 5m. The price variations take into account the station’s location, land prices and the buildings’ prices in the area.
He said the Egyptian government provided all the machines to be used for when the smart cards’ system of purchasing petrol in stations is applied, noting that the government has fully financed the project.
El-Kordi explained that the stations are provided with machines, and each station has its own cards, which would be used in the case of non-issuance of smart cards for citizens. They will be for the same official price until the issuance of cards occurs or in the case of their loss.
The smart card machines, which have all been tested, have been present inside stations for a year, with all workers trained on how to use them, El-Kordi said.
He also emphasised that the objective of using smart cards is to ensure that petroleum products reach those who deserve them, and to eliminate the black market.
