Cairo: Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam stressed the need for investors to take the necessary steps to present proposed projects to the Supreme Committee for Licensing Coastal Works before commencing any work on site, in order to ensure that such projects do not adversely affect coastal areas.According to State Information Service Egypt, Sewilam made the remarks during a meeting of the Supreme Committee for Licensing Coastal Works, attended virtually via Zoom by Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities Randa El-Menshawy, along with Beheira Deputy Governor Shady El-Mashad, National Water Research Center Chairman Sherif Mohamady, Shore Protection Authority Chairman Mohamed Ghattas, the chairman of the General Authority for Tourism Development, and representatives of relevant ministries, governorates and authorities.Sewilam said he was keen to convene the Supreme Committee for Licensing Coastal Works regularly and promptly to expedite decisions on beach licensing applicatio ns, facilitate and support investors and license applicants, boost development and the national economy, and provide job opportunities for young people, while taking all environmental considerations into account.He added that the Ministry of Irrigation is committed to swiftly reviewing all applications submitted by investors or local residents through a specialized technical committee at the Shore Protection Authority. The committee examines licensing applications and verifies whether they meet the required studies before submitting its findings to a technical secretariat comprising representatives of several ministries, relevant authorities and coastal governorates. The applications are then referred to the Supreme Committee for final decisions.The meeting reviewed 44 cases, with 42 approved, one deferred pending completion of the required technical studies and data, and another rejected for failing to meet the required conditions.The committee also approved all national projects presented at the meeti ng after confirming that they met the applicable technical and regulatory requirements and complied with regulations governing works carried out in coastal areas.The approved projects include maintenance and dredging works at the marine intake of the East Port Said Power Plant in Port Said Governorate; rehabilitation of the outlet of the Gamasa Drain in Damietta Governorate; drilling of an exploratory well within the Ras El-Ash concession area in Suez Governorate; dredging works at the basin and entrance of El-Maadiya Port, operated by Petrojet in Edku, Beheira Governorate; and dredging and deepening works at El-Maadiya Port, also known as the Fishermen's Port, in Beheira.The El-Maadiya Port project aims to improve the port's efficiency and facilitate the movement of vessels entering and leaving the port. It includes dredging the fishing harbor basin and inlet, as well as beach nourishment using sand resulting from the dredging works in Edku.The Supreme Committee for Licensing Coastal Works is responsib le for reviewing licensing applications within the restricted zone along Egypt's coastline. It also reviews and discusses technical studies related to works carried out along the coast, particularly those concerning the determination of the coastal setback and shoreline stability, to ensure that all facilities established within the restricted zone comply with approved standards and requirements.