Tourism industry objects to coal imports

Owners and workers of hotels and touristic establishments are voicing their objections to the Egyptian government’s recent decision to allow coal imports, reported state owned MENA.

Ali Reda, head of the Touristic Investments Authority in the Red Sea, told MENA that the tourism industry collectively objects to the allowance of coal imports through the Red Sea ports, namely Safaga, saying that this will have negative environmental impacts on the already struggling sector.

Coal usage will have negative environmental effects, causing pollution and harming marine life, coral reefs and health in general, he stated. Reda also pointed to negative implications on roads and infrastructure, saying that the Safaga-Qena Road is not equipped to handle the transportation of coal, adding that it may cause more accidents.

After months of heated debate, Egypt’s Cabinet made a decisive step toward allowing coal imports, while environmentalists vow to continue their fight against the highly polluting fuel.

Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb approved the use of coal as an energy source, namely to power cement factories, saying that the Cabinet is committed to developing controls and standards for the importation, trade, storage and use of coal, and to using technology to reduce emissions.

Egypt’s Minister of State for Environmental Affairs Laila Iskandar and environmentalists have vehemently resisted the coal imports decision for months, highlighting the negative health and environmental impacts of the move, but the government’s struggle to keep pace with energy demands have overshadowed these concerns.