No State monopoly
More companies are expected to show interest in acquiring Egypt’s second fixed-line telephone licence, scheduled for bidding in June. Six companies—France Telecom, Orascom Telecom ORTE.CA, Egypt’s Alkan, Giza Systems, Abu Dhabi-based Etisalat ETEL.AD, and the Saudi Atheeb—have so far bought the booklet of conditions for the sale of the licence. The step brings Egypt close to ending the monopoly of State-run Telecom Egypt currently the country’s sole fixed-line operator. Competing companies stand to win a base of at least 500,000 subscribers and minimum revenues of $500 million a year.
UAE pipeline
Earlier this month the Egyptian Arab Contracting (Mukhtar Ibrahim) Company, an affiliate to the Investment Ministry, won a tender to establish a water pipeline in the United Arab Emirates. At an investment of 508 million UAE dirhams, the project, which will take 24 months to complete, will create 750 job opportunities for Egyptians.
Russians welcome
Egypt and Russia have signed a tourist cooperation agreement that will increase the number of Russian tourists and encourage joint tourist ventures. Russia’s third International Trade Fair for Travel “INTOURMARKET-2008”, which opened in Moscow mid-March, had Egypt as guest of honour. Some 1.5 million Russian tourists visited Egypt in 2007.
Egypt Uzbek health
Egypt and Uzbekistan have signed a cooperation protocol in the health domain. Both countries will implement a set of common objectives to develop human resources in the health and medicine industry through joint training programmes, exchanging expertise and information among medical and scientific research centres, and developing medical services in mother and child health care. They will also facilitate registration of pharmaceutical products and establishment of scientific offices for pharmaceutical companies in both countries.
Solar power
The first steps have been taken towards erecting the first solar power plant at Kuraymat, south of Cairo, with a 140-megawatt capacity. Minister of Electricity Hassan Yunis said that a series of intensive meetings have been held over the past few days by the companies involved in the project, the investments in which are expected to amount to $300 million.
Foodex
Nine Egyptian companies have taken part in Foodex Japan 2008, the biggest food fair in Japan, held at Makuhari, Chiba earlier this month. Japanese visitors were able to savour Egyptian herbal teas and discover doum or fenugreek, and other herbals(herbs) which meet ecology and health consciousness. The fair will help producers launch Egyptian foods in Japan.
Australia for women
Earlier this month the Australian Ambassador to Egypt, Robert Bowker, presented a cheque for AUD70,000 (315,000LE) to the Association for the Development and Enhancement of Women (ADEW), to support a programme of activities involving women’s legal rights. Activities will include issuing ID cards—which are necessary to access many government services—for women who have none, educating women on their legal rights, and providing legal advice when needed. Last year was the first time Egyptian NGOs were eligible to apply for funding from the Australian Human Rights Small Grants Scheme (HRSGS), which provides substantial monetary support for human rights awareness around the globe.
First 3D cinema
Chief of the Supreme Council of Luxor City has decided to allocate 6,000 metres in front of Karnak Temple to set up the first 3D cinema in the Middle East. The cinema will screen documentaries and films on the history and civilisation of Egypt. Present-day Luxor stands on the spot of ancient Thebes.
National sports day
President Hosni Mubarak last week approved assigning 3 March as the national day for Egyptian sports. The date was picked to mark the president honouring 119 Egyptian gold medallists during the past year in international sports events—a first in Egyptian modern history.