Egypt Launches EGYPS 2022 Amid Efforts to Transform Cairo into a Regional Energy Hub

EGYPS Ministerial panel in Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
EGYPS Ministerial panel in Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt Launches EGYPS 2022 Amid Efforts to Transform Cairo into a Regional Energy Hub

EGYPS Ministerial panel in Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
EGYPS Ministerial panel in Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Egypt Petroleum Show 2022 (EGYPS) kicked off its fifth edition in Cairo with broad international participation, amid rapid steps to transform Egypt into a regional energy hub.

Egyptian gas plays a vital role in securing part of the energy needs of European countries by exporting surplus gas produced from gas fields or imported through the gas liquefaction stations in Idku and Damietta.

It increased Egypt's natural gas exports in light of the rise in global prices.

Egypt's Petroleum Minister Tarek el-Molla announced that the petroleum sector's exports increased 85 percent during the past year to reach about $13 billion.

Molla clarified that the unification of efforts must accompany Egypt's summit hosting.

He asserted that Egypt and African countries are committed to the Paris Agreement and all climate-related agreements, noting that African countries are among the nations that cause the least harmful emissions.

Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) CEO, Fatih Birol, announced at the EGYPS 2022 conference that Egypt officially joined the agency as a member.

Birol praised Egypt's remarkable success stories, adding that Egypt, Africa, and the world are at a defining moment in energy and climate.

He affirmed complete support for Egypt in light of its hosting of the COP27 global climate summit and its leadership of Africa to come up with decisions from the conference that suit the continent, which suffers from significant challenges represented in the window for electricity and cooking by primitive means that result in disasters.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended a ministerial session on energy transformation and efforts to combat climate change in Africa in preparation for COP27 Climate Summit, held next November in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union Commission Amani Abo Zeid stressed that considering energy availability for African people is a priority in enhancing access and exploiting energy in manufacturing industries.

Abo Zeid indicated that about 900 million people in Africa use primitive cooking methods, which leaves serious health effects that lead to the death of about 400,000 annually.

She praised the "Decent Life" initiative and its services, noting the importance of unifying efforts and African cooperation.

The official called for benefiting from Egypt's capabilities and expertise, especially in natural gas delivery projects, and converting means of transportation to gas.

She referred to the successful launch of a single African energy market, which began last June and is expected to become the most significant global market for energy exchange by 2040.

For his part, Minister of Minerals and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea Gabriel Obiang Lima said that the African continent must have its green plans, reiterating that energy sustainability is essential as a priority that precedes the energy transition.

Lima stressed the importance of natural gas and a transitional fuel, similar to the Egyptian experience.

He expressed his aspiration to benefit from Egypt in leading African countries to promote the uses of green energy.



Saudi Arabia Expands Homeownership Eligibility in Government Housing Projects

A project by the Saudi Ministry of Rural Affairs and Housing. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A project by the Saudi Ministry of Rural Affairs and Housing. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Expands Homeownership Eligibility in Government Housing Projects

A project by the Saudi Ministry of Rural Affairs and Housing. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A project by the Saudi Ministry of Rural Affairs and Housing. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a new decision allowing the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing to sell residential units within its housing projects to individuals who are not beneficiaries of government housing support. Real estate experts view the move as a strategic shift that boosts the flexibility of public asset management and maximizes the use of available housing stock.

The decision is expected to boost supply, improve market balance, and promote sustainability in the housing sector.

According to Abdulrahman Al-Tawil, Deputy Minister for Residential Supply Stimulus and Real Estate Development, the decision aims to broaden access to homeownership by including new population segments. Families and individuals who do not qualify for housing support will now be able to purchase units or relocate between homes in new suburban developments overseen by the ministry.

Single individuals and those who previously received loans from the Real Estate Development Fund will be eligible to buy homes in projects launched within the past two years. However, non-beneficiaries will purchase units at market rates, while support recipients will continue to receive financial assistance.

Al-Tawil emphasized that each project will initially offer a four-month window of exclusive sales to support beneficiaries before opening to the wider public.

The move is also designed to align housing supply with urban demand. Al-Tawil cited over 100,000 housing units currently available in Riyadh, offering a range of ownership options that address diverse needs.

Real estate appraiser Eng. Ahmed Al-Faqih believes the decision will have a significant impact on the market by strengthening housing supply and supporting price stability.

The entry of the National Housing Company into the private market adds a new, competitive dynamic that developers must consider when pricing their products, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

This competition, he said, will not only influence pricing but also encourage developers to prioritize quality—an essential goal of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Real estate expert Saqr Al-Zahrani also praised the decision. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said it addresses the issue of unsold inventory and offers homeownership opportunities to underserved citizens. He highlighted its potential to generate non-oil revenue and support long-term project sustainability without compromising the priority status of current beneficiaries.

Expanding ownership eligibility could help close gaps in the real estate market, especially in cities where ownership remains low, he added, while expecting the decision to encourage innovation in housing development and financing, further stimulating competition between public and private sectors.

On the issue of housing inflation, Al-Zahrani noted that increasing actual supply will reduce speculative activity and promote more disciplined pricing. This is especially critical for middle-income buyers who face volatility in the current market.

Effective implementation of the policy, supported by clear regulations and transparency, will be vital to achieving its intended outcomes, he remarked.