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.



UAE, Serbia Sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. WAM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. WAM
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UAE, Serbia Sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. WAM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. WAM

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić have witnessed the exchange of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), paving the way for increased trade and investment flows and bilateral private sector collaboration.

Sheikh Mohamed commended the exchange of the CEPA as a key milestone in the relations between the UAE and Serbia.

“The CEPA exchange with Serbia is a notable step forward in our efforts to create a network of trade agreements that will accelerate investment, promote knowledge-sharing, and create opportunities for joint ventures in high-growth sectors,” he said.

“Serbia represents an important addition to the CEPA program and a bridge into the high-potential region of Eastern Europe. The UAE-Serbia CEPA reflects our shared ambition to establish a new era of collaboration between our nations and unlock long-term, sustainable growth for both our economies.”

The Serbian President expressed confidence that the agreement would pave the way for new opportunities in economic cooperation and diversification, fostering sustainable growth and prosperity for both nations.

Once implemented, the UAE-Serbia CEPA is expected to remove or reduce duties on product lines, lift unnecessary barriers to trade, protect intellectual property rights, support small and medium-sized companies, and facilitate mutual investment flows.

The UAE is the third-largest market for Serbian exports in the Middle East, and increased FDI has been directed toward high-priority sectors, including renewable energy, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, and logistics.