New homes to open future for millions

Officials have pledged to create 1 million new housing units in Egypt by 2020, the vast majority of which will be for low-income families. The ambitious project is one of the largest in the world.

The scale of the project is driven by demand as Egypt requires 300,000 homes per year for newly formed households and a further 254,000 units to clear a backlog partly caused by an overall lack of coordination in housing projects.

This drive to increase the quantity and quality of housing across the country is being supported by a significant infrastructure investment plan to create highways, transport systems, power and communications networks, schools, medical facilities and offices. Construction and housing are among the largest and most labor-intensive employment sectors in Egypt.

Chinese firms form an integral part of the latest construction program, whether in logistics, industry, trade, residential and urban development spheres, said Mostafa Madbouly, minister of housing, utilities and urban communities.

The minister said the "sky is the limit" for Egyptian-Sino cooperation given the vast potential for major infrastructure projects in Egypt over the next decade.

"China has stated explicitly that Egypt should be the entry point to Africa and we look forward to working with the country on a plan to boost their engagement on the African continent," he said.

"Egypt is extremely eager to establish strong and sustainable relations with Chinese companies - and work with them on several mega projects. We are implementing projects that will contribute to the generation of employment, developing new settlements, new cities along the Suez Corridor, like East Port Said, the North West of Suez Gulf. The Chinese are very welcome here and we are excited about the positive contribution they can make to the Egyptian economy and the country."

InFocus provided this story.

(China Daily 06/03/2016 page6)