Cairo: Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam emphasized on Thursday, January 22, 2026, the critical role of the National Water Research Center (NWRC) as a pivotal research institution and innovation hub for the ministry. Sewilam highlighted the necessity of aligning the center's activities with the ministry's priorities to produce applied research that addresses water-related challenges effectively.According to State Information Service Egypt, the remarks were made during a meeting chaired by Sewilam, which included President of the National Water Research Center Sherif Mohamady and several senior ministry officials. The meeting focused on evaluating the center's research efforts and exploring proposals for further development, aligning with the objectives of the second generation of the water system (Water 2.0).The discussion included a proposal to establish a specialized consulting and logistics company affiliated with the NWRC. This company aims to offer innovative, specialized suppor t to enhance the efficiency of major water projects and serve as a model for public-private partnerships in the water sector, with potential for application in other areas in the future.Sewilam directed the team to address several key elements in the proposal to ensure its sustainability and effectiveness. This includes preparing a comprehensive financial feasibility study with a specialized firm to optimize the center's financial resources, conducting a detailed technical assessment of local market demand for the company's services in the water, environmental, and logistics sectors, and establishing a clear mechanism to define the relationship between the ministry, the center, and the proposed company. The mechanism should ensure role complementarity, prevent overlap of responsibilities, and clearly outline pathways for technical data exchange.