Cairo: Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, affirmed that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's directives to settle the remaining dues owed to oil and gas investment partners represent a strong message of confidence to investors in this sector. This also supports the Ministry's efforts to stimulate investment and increase discoveries and domestic production, contributing to a reduction in the gas import bill, especially given the current challenges. According to State Information Service Egypt, Karim Badawi added that the Ministry is working on implementing flexible economic models for marketing oil and gas areas offered for investment, thereby enhancing their attractiveness to international exploration and production companies. This came during the General Assembly of the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) to approve the 2026/2027 fiscal year budget. The Minister explained that the company plays a pivotal role in securing and sustaining natural gas supplies to all sectors of the country, primarily power plants, industrial sectors, and households. Karim Badawi emphasized the importance of early preparations for the summer season by expediting the connection of new wells to the production network, in addition to intensifying well maintenance work. The minister pointed out that the ongoing events in the Middle East and their repercussions on energy supplies have confirmed the importance of the regasification vessel system as an urgent strategic solution to secure the country's needs for imported liquefied natural gas, which supports the stability of supplies and meets the needs of various sectors, especially in times of crisis.