CURRICULUM VITAE
AHMED EL-MAGHRABY
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2005
Egyptian cabinet
Minister of housing, utilities and urban development
2004
Egyptian cabinet
Minister of tourism
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1998
Future Generation Foundation
Chairman of the board
1997
Egyptian Federation for Tourist Chambers
Chairman
Q What forces are driving Egypt’s redevelopment, particularly in its capital city?
A Several forces are driving Egypt’s intensive redevelopment. These include continuous population growth at an annual rate of more than 2%, which is considered the main challenge for providing new, decent housing and urban services.
We are also addressing the deterioration of housing and building stock in Egyptian cities – particularly in Cairo. We have witnessed increasing demand for big parcels of land to introduce new uses related to business and commerce activities.
Q How will the Egyptian government finance the renovation of its social housing, including the required utilities?
A The government is auctioning off land in the new cities worth a total of E£17bn ($3.1bn). The revenues so far have been allocated to completing housing projects for limited-income citizens, establishing infrastructure including sanitation projects in villages, and projects in health, education and transport.
The redevelopment has created several projects attracting large investments. These will help to stimulate the construction sector and contribute to Egypt’s economic growth.
Q What role will be played by the private sector in meeting the government’s target of 500,000 affordable homes by 2011?
A The Ministry of Housing activated the role of the private sector. A total of 279 companies submitted a land allocation request for housing projects, and 74 requests were approved to provide 212,000 new housing units.
Q
What are the government’s priorities in Cairo and the new city centres to the east and west?
A We want to revitalise the city centre through redeveloping deteriorated areas using public-private partnerships. We also want to rehabilitate historical areas and re-invigorate their cultural dimension.
Part of the project involves the relocation of ministries and government buildings from the city centre into new sites. We are also improving the public transport within the greater Cairo region.
The government is expediting the growth rate of new cities in the east and west of the region through improving the services and increasing the accessibility to them.
Q Can you outline the sort of projects we are likely to see in the next five to 10 years?
A We are finalising the third line and major parts of the fourth line of Cairo’s underground metro. New eastern and western corridors are being established to connect the new cities. And we are expanding the capacities of water supply and sewage plants to efficiently provide services across the entire region.
The major informal settlements such as North Giza and Manshiet Nasser areas are also being upgraded.
Q What role will public-private partnerships play?
A We see the government role transforming from a direct financier and provider to a policy-maker and regulator. The government will act as the buyer of the services from the private sector, without increasing the prices paid for these services.