Cairo - MENA
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi approved the establishment of a special department for Africa at the Cabinet in order to promote cooperation with the African Continent.
This came during a meeting on Sunday between the president and Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, Petroleum Minister Sherif Ismai and Electricity and Energy Minister Mohamed Shaker.
Presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef said that Mahlab suggested during the meeting to establish a special unit for Africa at the Cabinet.
The spokesman further said that Sisi welcomed this proposal as part of Egypt's policy to promote cooperation with African countries in the various spheres.
During the meeting, Sisi, meanwhile, underlined the importance of making use of resources through the periodic maintenance of electricity stations to increase electricity efficiency, according to the spokesman.
He also underlined the need of implementing agreements as soon as possible either by buying the necessary fuel to operate stations or build new stations as part of the projects which were agreed upon during Egypt Economic Development Conference, which was held in Sharm el Sheikh on March 13.
In this respect, the electricity minister reviewed efforts exerted at all levels to confront citizens' needs and factories to obtain the state's dues.
The minister added that coordination is underway with the international companies which will implement energy projects in Egypt.
Field visits were made for the proposed site to set up new stations, he added.
The minister also reviewed the various ways to generate electricity, either through new and renewable energy or nuclear energy or through coal.
Sisi underlined the importance of taking into consideration environmental standards while using coal in order to preserve the citizens' health.
Meanwhile, the petroleum minister pointed out to the ministry's efforts to provide the country's needs of petroleum and gas.
He also reviewed the new discoveries and the new projects which are implemented by the ministry in the various fields, especially in producing petrochemicals.