Sharaf: No privatization of Egyptian ports

Egypt's Minister of Transport Essam Sharaf said the government has no plans to privatize ports.

In statements yesterday during an inspection visit to Damietta sea port, accompanied by Minister of Environment Affairs Maged George, Sharaf said port assets will remain in state possession, while operation and services may be privatized yet under state supervision.

The two Ministers opened a number of environment projects in Damietta. Dekhila and Damietta ports upgrade projects cost L.E one billion, the minister said, adding that a passenger station will soon open as a first phase of the project at costs hitting L.E 50 million.

Ports modernization will give a push to incoming tourism, he added. The Egyptian Transport Ministry has received several requests by Arab Gulf states to modernize sea ports after the successful upgrade projects in Egyptian ports, he said.