Cabinet approves first phase of projects funded by World Bank loan

CAIRO – 17 December 2017: The Egyptian Cabinet approved on Sunday the first phase of projects executed at a cost of LE 2.1 billion in the Qena and Sohag governorates. The funding comes from the World Bank loan valued at $500 million and directed to the development of these governorates.

Planning Minister Hala El Saed said that LE 1.1 billion would be directed to projects in Sohag, while the rest would go to Qena.

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. Institutional development in the governorate will be accomplished at a cost of LE 16 million.

The minister said that the execution of these projects will begin in January. The loan by the World Bank was approved by the cabinet in June. The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) revealed in July that 27.8 percent live below the poverty line. Most of these reside in Upper Egypt.