El-Hefny: Egypt is moving to consolidate its position as a regional hub for low-emission aviation.. and the ministry provides technical support for the project
Sheikh Fahad bin Nasser: We are interested in expanding our investments in Egypt, and the group's expertise qualifies it to implement joint initiatives supporting sustainable growth and enhancing the efficiency of the aviation sector
Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation, received a delegation from Qatar's Fahad Al Thani Group of Companies, headed by Sheikh Fahad bin Nasser bin Fahad Al Thani, in the presence of Eng. Amr Nagaty, Permanent Undersecretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Eng. Hebatallah Hazin, founder and executive partner of the Egyptian-Qatari Company for Sustainable Fuel Production, and Captain Karim Gamil, Advisor to the Head of the Civil Aviation Authority, to discuss investment cooperation in the field of biofuel production.
The meeting addressed a number of strategic initiatives, foremost among them studying the establishment of a plant to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Egypt in cooperation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, supporting the state's drive towards a green economy and keeping pace with the rapid global shifts in the air transport industry.
During the meeting, the Minister of Civil Aviation stressed that Egypt is moving strongly towards consolidating its position as a regional hub for low-emission aviation, adding that the ministry is fully prepared to provide all facilities and technical support for the project, ensuring the application of the latest global technologies and the highest standards of efficiency and safety, in line with ICAO's recommendations in this regard, noting that the ministry adopts an integrated vision for developing the sector based on innovation and the application of clean technology, in line with the global shift towards reducing the carbon footprint.
El-Hefny explained that the environmental challenge has become a top priority for the aviation industry worldwide, amid efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the goal of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as the international legislator for global civil aviation, which requires expanding the use of sustainable aviation fuel.
The Minister of Civil Aviation noted that the Egyptian market is rich in resources that enable it to manufacture sustainable fuel, and also has competitive advantages that qualify it to be a promising platform for low-emission aviation projects, given the comprehensive infrastructure development in the civil aviation sector and its full commitment to ICAO's international frameworks on reducing emissions.
He said work is underway to create an attractive environment for investments by building effective partnerships with major international entities, helping localize modern technology and make the most of it to protect the environment.
For his part, Sheikh Fahad bin Nasser Al Thani stressed the group's interest in expanding its business in Egypt, adding that the group's expertise qualifies it to implement joint initiatives that help support sustainable growth and enhance the efficiency of the aviation sector regionally and internationally.
