Dr. Ali Al Moselhi - Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Dr. Rania Al Mashat - Minister of International Cooperation, and Major General Ahmed Rashid – Giza Governor inaugurated the Regional Technology Center for Grains Storage and Handling in Birqash Silo in Manshiet El Qanater which implemented by the Arab Contractors Company after its development within the Emirati grant aiming at the training of engineers and technicians in the field of electricity, mechanics and agricultural which enhances the concept of partnership and cooperation with local and international institutions. The inauguration was with the participation of United Arab Emirates and Denmark ambassador. The Minister was accompanied by Major General Sherif Basily - Chairman of the Holding Company for Silos and Storage, Major General Ahmed Hassanein - Chairman of the Holding Company for Food Industries, Eng. Emam Afify – Vice President of the Arab Contractors Company, Eng. Khaled Eissa – Member of the Arab Contractors Executive Board, Mr. Ahmed Mahdi - Minister’s Advisor for Control and Distribution Sector, Brigadier Khaled Sharaf - Assistant to the Minister for Planning, and officials from the Holding Company for Silos and Storage and number of its board members, as well as Mr. Talaat Hassan - Undersecretary of the Supply Ministry in Giza.
Dr. Ali Al Moselhi thanked the Minister of International Cooperation, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates and the Ambassador of Denmark. He stated that the efficiency of the grain silos storage and handling’s system has been increased.
He pointed out that the training center represents a quantum leap to create human cadres capable of managing the system efficiently and effectively and enhances the concept of partnership between all parties related to the national silos project. He clarified that the storage capacity has doubled since 2014, which was estimated at 1.6 million tons. Now, the capacity increased to 3.4 million tons. He stressed on the fact that this would not have been achieved without the continuous support of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his interest in the national project of silos. This project contributed to increasing the strategic stock of wheat, which greatly helped in dealing with Corona pandemic.
Dr. Al Moselhi also confirmed that the strategic reserve of wheat is sufficient for 4.7 months, in addition to the approaching season for the local wheat supply in mid-April. He said that the Ministry of Supply cooperates with Cumbria Green which is one of the most important bodies providing technical support in the wheat system.
Within her speech, Minister of International Cooperation pointed out that the projects implemented with the development partners in the supply sector enhance the food security and achieve the objectives of the sustainable development. She praised the international partnerships with the United Arab Emirates ... 129 million US$ financing from the development partners for the supply sector. Dr. Rania Al Mashat added that Regional Technology Center for Grains Storage and Handling is one of the most important projects executed by the Egyptian Holding Company for Silos and Storage, within the framework of the projects funded by the Emirati grant to implement 25 silos with a value of 300million US$. She pointed out that that the center will be regional one for training and preparing cadres in the field of grain storage technology, management and silos operation. She praised the strategic cooperation relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, which resulted in the implementation of many projects in different development sectors.
This project represents an important factor in strengthening the food security strategy in Egypt and achieving sustainable development goals especially the second goal: zero hunger, the eighth goal: decent work and economic growth, and the twelfth goal: responsible consumption and production. Dr. Al Mashat confirmed that the Ministry of International Cooperation is keen to conclude development financing agreements with multilateral and bilateral development partners for the various sectors of the country, including the supply sector, whose total funding amounted to $ 129 million from the Saudi Fund for Development and the OPEC Fund for International Development, in addition to the Emirati grant and the available funds from The Egyptian-Italian Debt Swap for Development Program.
Giza Governor praised the Regional Technology Center for Grains Storage and Handling in Birqash Silo due to its importance for the training and qualifying of all employees in the Egyptian Holding Company for Silos and Storage which reflects the government interest to transfer into a new era through the use of the state of the art technologies in wheat management and storage. In addition to meeting the needs of workers and public authorities, and setting training programs to develop the skills and capabilities of individuals in the public and private sectors and meeting the requirements of the market and society. He pointed out that the silos are an important addition to the supply system in the governorate. He indicated that the efficiency of the surrounding and access roads to Birqash Silo has been increased to ease transportation.
Then, the ministers of supply and international cooperation, Giza Governor and the participated delegations inspected the training center and the control units of the silo. Major General Sherif Basily - Chairman of the Holding Company for Silos and Storage declared that Birqash Silo is built upon 8 feddans with a storage capacity 60000 tons, 12 metal cells with a capacity of 5000 tons for each, and wholly operated by the control room.