NEW ALAMEIN, Aug 7 (MENA) – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Wednesday that the private sector is better equipped to manage and operate airports across the country, stressing that the government is not selling its airport assets but rather focusing on improving their operation and management.
Though Borg El Arab Airport near the Mediterranean city of Alexandria has recently undergone major upgrades, complaints continue to be raised about its management and operations and not about its infrastructure, the premier said while speaking at a press conference following the weekly Cabinet meeting.
Worldwide, airport management and operations are handled by specialized private-sector companies, Madbouly said. “We are working with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on this matter,” he added.
He said the government is offering airports, including Borg El Arab, to specialized firms for management and operation in order to address criticism of the current system. He stressed that this approach will apply to several other facilities as well.
Madbouly made clear that he instructed the civil aviation minister to ensure that all Egyptian airports are covered by management and operation contracts. “This has nothing to do with the state selling airports or relinquishing ownership to the private sector,” he said.
Meanwhile, the premier said part of the government’s plan to promote Egyptian real estate exports involves creating a digital platform to showcase state projects.
He noted that the housing minister has been tasked with the project in cooperation with the communications and IT minister, with the aim of opening new horizons for real estate exports in the coming period. (MENA)
