Egypt’s Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam announced preparations to sign a cooperation protocol with the Transport Ministry and the Egyptian National Railways Authority to maximize the use of state-owned assets linked to the water sector. The remarks came during a meeting with the chairperson of MOT Investment and Development, the investment arm of the authority and ministry, where both sides discussed mechanisms for jointly managing and investing selected land plots owned by the water ministry.
Sewilam stated that the move aims to support the state treasury, improve financial and social benefits for ministry employees, and develop projects that create job opportunities, while fully complying with legal requirements and ensuring no negative impact on water management or quality. He instructed the Central Administration for Assets to finalize the draft protocol with MOT and begin pilot investment projects on selected land plots before expanding the initiative.
The minister also called for accelerating land surveys to facilitate tendering and contracting procedures, and stressed strict monitoring to ensure investors comply with environmental and technical standards. Authorities would continue coordinating with law enforcement bodies to address encroachments on ministry-owned land, according to the statement.
The meeting reflects Egypt's government efforts to optimize the economic use of public assets while maintaining sustainability in the water sector. No specific date for signing the protocol has been announced, but preparations are ongoing for launching pilot projects soon.