Arab Finance: Egypt is targeting daily production of 10 million cubic meters of desalinated water as it reviews proposals for new projects, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said during a meeting with officials from Saudi-based energy and desalination company Acwa.

Madbouly said the government wants to secure the best proposals from bidding companies before starting the projects. Egypt plans to expand desalination through modern plants built with specialized companies using advanced technologies.

The Prime Minister added that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has taken a strong interest in desalination, while the state is expanding projects and seeking to localize related industries to the sector.

Acwa CEO Samir J. Serhan welcomed further cooperation with Egypt and discussed the company’s renewable energy investments in the country. He also pointed to work underway with Egypt on desalination projects aimed at increasing its production capacity.

The meeting also covered investment opportunities and the government’s plans to increase private sector participation in desalination. Officials also discussed the role of the projects in supplying water for new cities, coastal development and broader urban growth.