Sohag to witness more LE 17.6M development projects

CAIRO - 24 December 2017: Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr signed a LE 17.6 million agreement with Misr El-Kheir Foundation to develop a village in Sohag governorate, a Sunday statement from the ministry announced.

"The development operation will tackle improving health and housing environment, as well as supporting education institutions with the aim of attracting private sector investment and achieving a sustainable economic growth," Nasr said in the statement.

"Misr El-Kheir Foundation will be responsible for connecting water and sanitation networks to the neediest areas, in addition to reconstructing 41 houses," head of the foundation's board of trustees and former Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa said.

Last week, the Egyptian Cabinet approved the first phase of projects executed at a cost of LE 2.1 billion in the Qena and Sohag governorates, funded by the World Bank.

In Sohag, 14 wastewater projects are planned to serve eight towns and 12 villages, in addition to six roads, four canal piping projects serving three towns, as well as water supply networks. In Qena, five wastewater and eight water supply projects are planned.

The projects are part of a $500 million program, approved by the World Bank to achieve economic growth in Upper Egypt’s governorates, specifically in Qena and Sohag.

Aiming to support the private sector and create sustainable job opportunities, the program works to improve the business climate by developing infrastructure and existing industries especially in the food sector.

The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) revealed in July that 27.8 percent of Egyptians live below the poverty line, and most of them reside in Upper Egypt.