The signing was attended by Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, Dong Jian Guo, Chinese Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and Dr. Abdel Khalek Ibrahim, Assistant Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities for Technical Affairs. The agreement was signed by Engineer Amin Ghoneim, Vice Chairman of NUCA for Real Estate Affairs, and Qi Zhang, Managing Director of Horizon for Management and Operation.
On the sidelines of the signing, Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny
highlighted the groundbreaking nature of the deal, calling it a
"qualitative leap in public facilities management in Egypt." He explained
that the agreement introduces a modern, professional operational model known as
"Cost + Margin." This innovative approach, he stated, meticulously
balances two critical objectives: "ensuring service quality and
operational sustainability" with "enabling the state to exercise full
oversight and supervision, through budget approval and periodic review of
technical and financial performance."
He further detailed the comprehensive scope of the
agreement, which encompasses the maintenance and management of all vital
facilities within the CBD. This includes crucial infrastructure such as
electricity and water networks and fire systems, guaranteeing their continuous
operation and efficient performance to the highest standards. Beyond
infrastructure, the agreement also covers essential services such as general
cleaning, security and safety, meticulous care for green spaces and gardens,
and ongoing environmental monitoring.
El-Sherbiny added: "The agreement also ensures that all
service providers adhere to approved technical specifications and legal
legislation," he stated. He added that it mandates the provision of
necessary operating permits and establishes a system of "technical and
financial oversight through regular monitoring of service providers'
performance and reviewing expenditures and budgets." Comprehensive
evaluation reports will also be prepared and submitted to the New Urban
Communities Authority, he confirmed.
The Minister stressed that the agreement's goal goes beyond
just operating facilities. Its true purpose, he said, is to deliver integrated,
high-quality services for the CBD's residents, visitors, and businesses, while
also safeguarding the state's substantial investments in this crucial project.
El-Sherbiny affirmed that the agreement underwent a thorough
review within a strong institutional framework. This involved a specialized
ministerial committee overseeing all pre-contract and implementation phases to
ensure full adherence to the highest technical and legal standards.
He concluded by stating, "We consider this step a prototype for integrated urban management that can be replicated in other areas of the Administrative Capital or new cities, aligning with the state's direction towards transitioning from traditional management patterns to sustainable, performance-based, quality-driven, and good governance models."