Egypt’s environment minister, Yasmine Fouad, on Monday called for a closer alignment of industry and environmental protection as the cornerstone of the country’s green development strategy.
Speaking at the “Industry and Environment for Green Development” conference, Fouad said the event marked a new era of cooperation between the government and the private sector to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
“We are moving beyond the concept of environmental sanitation to implementing a system linked to economic and social frameworks,” she said.
The conference, organised by the Environment Ministry and attended by top government officials and industry leaders, aimed to address challenges facing Egypt’s industrial sector while promoting environmentally friendly practices.
Fouad emphasised the importance of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises as drivers of economic growth and their role in achieving environmental compatibility. The ministry has provided technical and financial support to these businesses through the Industrial Pollution Control Program for 25 years, she said.
“We are committed to creating a sustainable green industrial sector that can compete in global markets while meeting international environmental obligations,” Fouad added.
The minister highlighted the government’s efforts to transfer technology and train the workforce, in line with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s directives to build Egyptian citizens.
Kamel Al-Wazir, deputy prime minister for industrial development and minister of industry, underscored the industry’s significant contribution to GDP and its commitment to environmental standards.
Mohamed El-Sewedy, Chairperson of the Federation of Egyptian Industries, praised the Environment Ministry’s role in supporting the sector and called for continued cooperation to address environmental challenges.
Sherif El-Gebaly, head of the Environmental Compliance Office at the Federation of Egyptian Industries, outlined the success of a revolving loan agreement between the ministry and the federation, which has provided financing for environmental projects in the industrial sector.
The conference also featured the signing of cooperation protocols to enhance support for environmental initiatives and promote sustainable industrial practices.
El-Gebaly added that the revolving loan agreement has helped Egyptian companies with financing, providing technologies related to environmental compliance, energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste management, and green economy applications.
This assistance helps the Egyptian industrial sector achieve strategic sustainable development goals in environmental protection.
Since 2005, 480 projects have received executive committee approval under the agreement, with total financing of EGP 900m, resulting in environmental and economic returns with total investments of EGP 1.17bn. Additionally, 60 projects were funded to implement energy efficiency technologies with a total financing of EGP 120m, and over 40 projects for waste recycling with total investments of EGP 150m, achieving significant environmental benefits.
Fouad said the event aimed to showcase success stories in Egyptian industry, highlighting the support provided by the government and industry partners.
“This is the first conference we execute hand in hand with the Minister of Industry and Transport, sending an important message domestically and internationally that industry and environment are aligned and form the basis for achieving green development,” she said.
The conference will also witness the signing of several cooperation protocols with the Federation of Egyptian Industries to increase support for the Environmental Compliance Office by EGP 150m for environmental projects for small and medium industries.
Additionally, a protocol will be signed between the Environmental Affairs Agency and the Industry Modernisation Centre to collaborate in the Industrial Pollution Control Program, providing technical and financial support for industrial facilities to prepare technical studies, carbon accounting, and environmental impact assessments, qualifying them for financial support.
