Egypt’s Deputy Minister of Housing Explores Cooperation with Korean Water Technology Firm
Dr. Sayed Ismail, Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, held talks with officials from the South Korean consortium LG Water Solutions, a global specialist in the manufacture of membranes for seawater desalination and wastewater treatment plants, alongside representatives of the Egyptian company Rheoserve, to explore potential areas of cooperation in the water and sanitation sector.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohamed Hassan, Chief Executive Officer of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Regulatory Authority and Consumer Protection Agency; Eng. Mohamed Moawad, Deputy Head of the Project Management Unit (PMU) at the Ministry; Major General Assem Shokr and Dr. Abu El-Abbas Issa, Vice Chairmen of the Holding Company for Drinking Water and Wastewater; as well as representatives from the Ministry’s Project Management Unit.
At the outset, Dr. Sayed Ismail welcomed the Korean delegation and underscored the strategic importance of localizing the manufacturing of electromechanical equipment, particularly components used in seawater desalination and wastewater treatment plants. He noted that these sectors rank among the Egyptian government’s top priorities, given their critical role in supporting sustainable development and water security.
Officials from LG Water Solutions expressed their interest in expanding investments in the manufacture of electromechanical equipment for the drinking water and sanitation sector. They also highlighted their ambition to use Egypt as a regional hub for expansion into African markets, in cooperation with the Ministry of Housing and its affiliated entities.
During the meeting, the company presented an overview of its portfolio of projects in Egypt, the Gulf region, and across Africa. It also showcased its latest membrane manufacturing technologies, which enhance desalination efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and lower operating and maintenance costs by up to 25 percent compared to conventional membranes. Company representatives noted that LG Water Solutions has received multiple international awards from Global Water Intelligence and ranks fourth globally among the strongest chemical brands in the Brand Finance 2025 list.
Dr. Sayed Ismail reviewed with the company the investment opportunities available through the Ministry’s affiliated entities, reaffirming the government’s commitment to encouraging private sector partnerships in seawater desalination projects. He referred to Egypt’s strategic seawater desalination plan extending to 2050, which targets a production capacity of approximately 10 million cubic meters per day.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted opportunities for localizing the manufacture of electromechanical equipment used in desalination projects and the safe reuse of treated wastewater, describing the sector as a promising and attractive market for investment. He emphasized that the Ministry’s efforts are aligned with the State Ownership Policy Document and the Utilities Sector Strategy, aiming to expand the adoption of advanced technologies, achieve the highest standards of water quality and purity, and enhance private sector participation through public-private partnership (PPP) models.