Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea met with Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad to discuss preparations for Egypt's hosting of the United Nations' Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP 27) this year and the role of the private sector and Egyptian industry in the summit's activities. Gamea said that the meeting tackled a number of ideas related to the participation of Egyptian industries in this important international event, especially green and environmentally friendly industries. She noted that the ministry is developing a set of initiatives and projects to reduce carbon emissions, expand the use of clean energy in vehicles, and use modern technologies in production, which includes the development of projects to transfer environmentally friendly technology in the Mediterranean region. This is in addition to a project to use solar heaters in industrial heating operations, a project to establish solar cell systems, and a project to raise the efficiency of entrepreneurs in the field of green industries in cooperation with various international bodies. Furthermore, Gamea noted that her ministry put in a lot of work to set up the Egyptian pavilion at the COP 26 that was held in Glasgow by presenting success stories of Egyptian companies that have managed to produce environmentally friendly products and technologies, which the ministry seeks to highlight during Egypt's hosting of the conference this year. She elaborated that this conference represents a great opportunity to find investment partnerships between investors from Egypt and African countries in the field of energy efficiency, clean and renewable energy uses, and revolving economy projects, especially in light of Egypt's current presidency of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Moreover, she stressed the state's keenness to achieve industrial and economic integration in Africa and promote investment cooperation between the various COMESA member states. Additionally, she highlighted the participation of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA) in this international event by presenting models of emerging projects in the field of environmentally friendly technologies as well as holding a mini version of the 'Torathna' ('Our Heritage') Exhibition for handicrafts to display environmentally friendly handicrafts and products during the summit's activities. For her part, Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad stressed that the COP 27 represents an opportunity to show Egypt in a distinct way through the exhibition that will be held in the Green Zone and include environmentally friendly technologies from Egyptian industries. "We can also invite countries of the world through it to establish international partnerships. An example of this is energy-intensive industries and how they have turned into environment-friendly industries through real success stories to encourage Egyptian industries and show the world the extent of Egyptian capabilities and that we can create partnerships for cooperation with African countries," Fouad said. "Furthermore, creating opportunities for the Egyptian private sector at the global level so that the conference will be a beacon for Egypt and the world in the environment and its industrial applications." She noted that the conference will also include a number of side events outside the national segment to present partnerships so that this would be a real opportunity for the private sector — whether Egyptian or foreign — to be an executive conference that presents a true picture of environmental applications in the industrial sector. Above all, the Blue Area presents an image of the Egyptian private sector's compatibility with the environment. The Egyptian Pollution Abatement Project, which is interested in resource efficiency and emissions reduction, is currently preparing studies on projects for industries that have been able to reduce emissions to reduce the effects of climate change. Preparations will also be made to sign a new programme on the side-lines of the COP 27 to be a new opportunity for Egypt in many environmentally friendly projects. Additionally, Fouad disclosed that work on a green and sustainable industry project is being prepared to give opportunities to the private sector for environmental applications, and a global environmental competition on climate changes will also be organised between various business sectors, civil society organisations, banks, entrepreneurs, governments, and research centres.
