Egyptian Ministry of Environment received 19 requests from the cement companies to use coal, minister Khaled Fahmy said.
Speaking to Amwal Al Ghad, Fahmy said his ministry is reviewing the environment evaluation reports submitted by the 19 companies to assure their competence to the safety standards.
Out of the 19, there were 3 companies that had already started experimental usage of coal, namely Arabian Cement Company, Suez Cement Company, and Lafarge, the minister noted.
Fahmy assured those standards do not include that the ministry would impose any taxes on the companies using coal.
Imposing such taxes requires direct legislations, which means this will be postponed till the next parliamentary elections, he explained.
He clarified that the ministry seeks to finish reviewing the reports in the few upcoming weeks.
