Minister of Finance Dr. Youssef Boutros Ghali has allocated 2 billion dollars as an additional support for the water and utilities projects so that the total amount allocated in the budget is 6.5 billion pounds as part of an investment plan for the state.

Dr. Ghali has said the government is eager to circulate public assets in a way that benefits citizens through projects that focus on low income citizens.  The announcement was made at a press conference held by the ministers of finance and housing.

The Minister of Finance said that priority will be given to projects that aid citizens in densely populated areas, explaining that President Mubarak has allocated 20 billion pounds over the past two years to support utilities projects in rural areas.

Dr. Ghali said the amounts for utilities and drinking reflect the economic reform project which has seen the increase in exports by 30% and the availability of work opportunities in Mehalla Kobra and the new cities.  Ghali explained that for the reform to leave an impact it needs time.

Dr. Ghali said that the sale of the third mobile company has been for 16.7 billion pounds, reflecting a strong economic reform program.

The Minister also added that the ministries of finance and housing are together searching tenders for water plants and utilities in collaboration with the private sector according to the PPP and which will entail that the private sector builds the plant and rents it to the government in order to alleviate the investment burden.  The Minister of Housing has said there is no link between pricing water services and the admission of the private sector as a partner in developing the infrastructure, saying it is the government’s responsibility to offer water services and utilities to citizens.  The housing Minister explained that other countries experiences affirm that the private sector can finance the infrastructure for less cost than the government.