Egypt’s Environmental Protection Fund expands financing for greener industrial projects

Egypt’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) has approved additional financing for a revolving loan programme supporting small and medium-sized industrial enterprises, as part of efforts to improve environmental compliance and promote cleaner production practices.

The Ministry of Local Development and Environment said Minister Manal Awad chaired the 24th meeting of the fund’s board of directors, which was attended by representatives of government entities and board members.

According to the ministry, the meeting reviewed the fund’s financial position, performance indicators and the implementation of previous decisions, with the aim of directing resources towards projects that deliver environmental and developmental benefits.

Awad said the Environmental Protection Fund serves as a key national mechanism for supporting environmental protection and sustainable development through financing priority environmental projects and strengthening partnerships with public and private sector institutions.

The board approved an increase in the capital allocated to a revolving loan programme implemented through a cooperation agreement involving the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, the Environmental Protection Fund, the Federation of Egyptian Industries and the National Bank of Egypt.

The programme is designed to provide financing for small and medium-sized industrial projects, helping factories comply with environmental standards, improve energy and resource efficiency, and reduce emissions.

The minister said the programme has achieved positive results in recent years and described support for environmentally sustainable industrial development as a key pillar of Egypt’s economic growth strategy.

The meeting also reviewed measures aimed at strengthening the fund’s role in supporting projects related to pollution reduction, climate change adaptation and the transition to a green economy.

As part of these efforts, Awad directed officials to examine the installation of small-scale solar power systems on ministry buildings to reduce conventional energy consumption and lower carbon emissions.

She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that balance economic development with environmental protection, in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and broader sustainable development objectives.