By Rana Yehia

The Egyptian-Emirates Group has developed a plan regarding the reclamation of 220,000 acres in Kom Ombo, Aswan, using solar energy.

The project will rely on well water that will be drilled within the project, said Hosny Al-Ayouty, agricultural counsellor for the Group.

Speaking at the international conference for economic integration, “Misr Bab Al-Wasl”, on Sunday, he said solar energy will be used to extract water from the wells and irrigate the land instead of fossil energy.

However, the added-value of the project will be achieved through the food industries that will be established within the area, Al-Ayouty added.

The company will coordinate with the Ministry of Irrigation in order to drill the wells and extract the necessary water to reclaim the targeted lands, Al-Ayouty noted. He also clarified that the project will include the establishment of a green city as well as housing and services projects.

The project also aims to transform the region into an attractive area for residents achieving investments and revenues in industrial and agriculture sectors.

The Egyptian-Emirates Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Egyptian Minister of Agriculture to implement the project during the Economic Summit last March in Sharm El-Sheikh.