Egypt has plans to launch 13-14 public-private partnership (PPP) projects in 2016, with total costs estimated at around US$2.5 billion.

The announcement was made by the director of the Egyptian finance ministry's PPP unit, Atter Hannoura, at an Abu Dhabi press conference on June 9th, 2015.

The total costs for the projects is currently estimated between EGP16 billion (US$2.1 billion) and EGP19 billion (US$2.5 billion).

Egypt has a total of 8 projects still planned for launch in 2015, with costs estimated at around EGP12 billion (US$1.57 billion). Key ventures are listed below:

• Maadi's Technology City - exportation of telecom and IT services. The total cost for phase 1 amounts to EGP700 million (US$91.5 million). It is expected to raise the value of export services by US$900 million per year.

• Nile River Project - upgrade of the Nile transport fleet and harbors. The project involves, among others, the development of 12 new harbors and the renovation of 16 existing ones the It is planned to be launched in July/August 2015. The total project investment is estimated at at EGP550-650 million (US$72-85 million).

• Safaga Harbor Project - upgrade and renovation of the port. The project aims to convert the harbor into an industrial port. The tender process is expected to be launched by the end of 2015. The total project investment is estimated at EGP4 billion (US$523 million).

One of the targets Egypt has for 2016 is diversification of its economy through new industries including the following: exportation of phosphoric acid, import/export of grains, importation of livestock and reparation and maintenance of ships.