الرئيسية / news / Irrigation Ministry mandates pre-approval for coastal projects

Irrigation Ministry mandates pre-approval for coastal projects

فريق رجال الأعمال news 06 August 2025 02:25 PM
مشاركة الخبر:
Irrigation Ministry mandates pre-approval for coastal projects

Dr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, emphasized that investors must present their proposed projects to the Supreme Committee for Coastal Licenses before starting any work. This step is crucial to prevent negative impacts on coastal areas.

The Minister chaired a meeting of the committee, attended by a wide range of officials, including: Major General Engineer Nasser Fawzy, Director of the National Center for State Land Uses, Dr. Sherif Mohamady, Head of the National Water Research Center, Major General Amr Othman, Deputy Governor of Port Said, Major General Adel El-Behery, Assistant Head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority for Marine Projects, Engineer Mohamed Ghatas, Head of the Shore Protection Authority, and representatives from various ministries (Defense, Transport, Environment, Local Development, Housing, Tourism, and Antiquities), coastal governorates (Port Said, Beheira, Red Sea, South Sinai, Matrouh, Alexandria, and Suez), the Shore Protection Authority, the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, and the National Center for State Land Uses.

The Minister highlighted the ministry’s commitment to promptly reviewing requests from investors and citizens. These requests are first examined by a technical committee at the Shore Protection Authority to ensure all necessary studies are completed. The results are then passed to a Technical Secretariat—comprised of representatives from relevant ministries, authorities, and governorates—before being submitted to the Supreme Committee for a final decision.

Dr. Sweilem stated that regular committee meetings are held to ensure timely decisions on license requests. This process aims to support investors, stimulate development, boost the national economy, and create jobs, all while upholding environmental standards.

During the meeting, 37 topics were discussed, leading to the approval of 34 and the rejection of three that did not meet the criteria. The approved topics included seven national projects:

Nuclear Power Authority: A project for a cooling water intake, outlet, and breakwater for the Dabaa nuclear plant in Matrouh.

Matrouh Governorate: A project to develop the corniche beach.

Ministry of Transport: The construction of a marine pier in Damietta.

Ministry of Petroleum: An onshore oil pipeline in South Sinai and a new natural gas import line in Suez.

A telecommunications company: Extending a subsea cable in Taba and working on eight lines in Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai.

The Supreme Committee for Coastal Licenses is responsible for approving all projects within the coastal restricted zone, ensuring they adhere to approved standards and maintain shoreline stability.