Egypt’s GAFI hosts sustainability conference to boost green exports

Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) hosted the Environmental Sustainability and Egyptian Exports: Towards a Low-Carbon Economy conference on Wednesday, with the participation of Deputy CEO Dalia El Hawary.

The conference featured a series of panel discussions focused on climate change, environmental indicators, institutional carbon footprints, and relevant technical standards. It also addressed the role of green industry and sustainable technologies in Egypt’s economic future.

Sessions explored the causes of climate change and its impact on Egyptian exports before shifting to the role of green industry in climate mitigation through technologies such as solar and wind energy systems, water treatment and reuse in industrial processes, recycling, and emissions control.

Speakers from the Environmental Performance Unit at the Egyptian Organisation for Standardisation and Quality and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency highlighted opportunities for implementing green industry practices by encouraging a transition to renewable energy sources and improving industrial waste management.

Notable projects cited during the conference included the Benban Solar Park in Aswan and the new Assiut hydrocracking complex, with the latter built at a cost of 550 million Egyptian pounds.

The event also examined how Egypt could accelerate the shift to green industry through measures such as financial and tax incentives for eco-friendly factories, promoting public-private partnerships, supporting research in sustainable technologies, and scaling up green finance and environmental certification mechanisms.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser