Egypt: 37 companies have applied for licences to use coal at cement plants, according to the Industrial Development Authority (IDA). IDA Head Ismail Gaber said that the new licenses aim to increase investments in the cement industry to meet local consumption.
Minister of Industry Tarek Qabil announced in January 2016 that licences would be issued to establish 14 new coal-fired cement factories in nine governorates in Beni Suef, Minya, Qena, Sohag, Aswan, New Valley, Suez, Marsa Matruh and South Sinai. Together these plants will have a cement production capacity of 28Mt/yr. The deadline for receiving offers from companies is 10 May 2016.