Egypt makes $ 1.2 bln surplus out of oil

Egypt's balance of payment of oil scored $ 1.2 billion surplus in 2001 against a surplus of $ 510 million in 2000, Egyptian oil minister Sameh Fahmi said Sunday. He told reporters the surplus was a result of non-traditional policies and measures, which make oil a major source for foreign currency.

Fahmi said changing natural gas prices would bring 230 million dollars surplus thus operating giant projects to produce solar energy.