logo
Petroleum Minister inaugurates TAQA's new integrated operations center in Cairo

Petroleum Minister inaugurates TAQA's new integrated operations center in Cairo

Karim Badawi, Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, officially inaugurated the new integrated operations center for Saudi Arabian energy company TAQA, located in Cairo's Katameya district. The center will serve as a key hub for managing the company's activities in Egypt and the broader region, and is positioned to become a launchpad for TAQA's expansion across Africa.
The initiative capitalizes on Egypt's strategic advantages — including its robust infrastructure, competitive logistics, and geographic location — to strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract international investment.
TAQA, a leading provider of services to oil production sites and the wider energy sector, leverages innovation, technology, and sustainable practices to advance its mission.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior energy officials, including Tamer Idris, Vice Chairperson for Production at the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC); Mohamed Radwan, Vice Chairperson of Ganoub El Wadi Holding Company (GANOPE) for Agreements and Exploration and Director of the Egypt Upstream Gateway (EUG); TAQA Chairperson Khaled Noah; Amir Nassim, Vice President of Operations; Hossam Abou Seif, Vice President for Africa and Iraq; and Moataz Serag, Egypt Country Director. Executives from production companies and international energy firms operating in Egypt were also present.
During the opening, Minister Badawi reaffirmed the depth of historic ties between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the flourishing energy partnership between the two nations. He commended Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman for his pivotal role in strengthening bilateral cooperation, highlighting his remarks at the recent Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES) as a testament to the strength of the relationship.
Welcoming TAQA's expanded presence in Egypt, Badawi noted that the new center reflects the company's serious commitment to investing in and operating within the country.
'We are unlocking the full potential of Egypt's energy sector and the region,' he said. 'The ministry's six strategic pillars pave the way for broad cooperation with TAQA — from boosting production through advanced technologies and supporting mining, to renewable energy, emissions reduction, enhanced safety systems, and energy efficiency — all while bolstering regional collaboration with Saudi Arabia.'
TAQA Chairperson Khaled Noah described the center as a milestone in the company's development and a model of successful partnership with Egypt. He emphasized TAQA's commitment to investing in the country's energy sector, especially in developing solutions to reduce carbon emissions — where Egypt is at the forefront of the company's initiatives.
Noah praised Egypt's forward-looking energy strategy, highlighting TAQA's role in channeling investments, creating jobs, and providing advanced technological services to support the nation's energy goals.
Attendees also received a comprehensive briefing on the center's capabilities, which include the use of advanced technologies in energy operations, equipment design and maintenance, and a specialized training facility to support workforce development.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Stitch Raises $10M to Expand Fintech Services in Emerging Markets
Stitch Raises $10M to Expand Fintech Services in Emerging Markets

CairoScene

timea day ago

  • CairoScene

Stitch Raises $10M to Expand Fintech Services in Emerging Markets

The Saudi-based fintech will use the funding to expand into high-growth regions including East Africa. May 29, 2025 Saudi-based fintech infrastructure provider Stitch has raised $10 million in an extension of its Series A funding round. The round was led by investors Arbor Ventures, COTU Ventures, Raed Ventures, and SVC. Founded in 2022, Stitch offers APIs that allow businesses to build and scale financial products, including tools for account linking, payment initiation, identity verification, and financial data access. Launched initially for Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Stitch has attracted interested in East Africa in countries such as Kenya, and plans to use the new funds to further develop its end-to-end payments suite and expand into additional markets across Africa and the Middle East. According to the company, this latest investment will support its geographic expansion, product development, and hiring efforts, with a particular focus on improving user onboarding and payment reliability in underserved markets.

Saudi Pavilion in Osaka Wins Top Prize for Cultural Design
Saudi Pavilion in Osaka Wins Top Prize for Cultural Design

CairoScene

timea day ago

  • CairoScene

Saudi Pavilion in Osaka Wins Top Prize for Cultural Design

The Saudi Pavilion was designed by Foster + Partners to reflect the Kingdom's cultural wealth. May 29, 2025 Saudi Arabia's pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025 has received the Gold Prize in the Cultural Architecture – Interactive and Experiential Spaces category at the New York Architectural Design Awards. The award recognised the pavilion for its architectural excellence and its ability to deliver an immersive experience that reflects the cultural wealth of Saudi Arabia. Designed by Foster + Partners, the pavilion was developed under the supervision of the Saudi Architecture and Design Commission, with leadership from CEO Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman and Project Manager Fatima Al-Doukhi. The pavilion's layout guides visitors through an outer courtyard into a central inner courtyard, creating a contemplative journey influenced by the geographical and cultural diversity of Saudi cities and regions. It serves not only as a showcase of architectural design but also as a venue for cultural performances and programming during the six-month duration of the Expo. A key theme of the design is the exploration of cultural parallels between Saudi Arabia and Japan, inviting visitors into a spirit of cross-cultural discovery. In terms of sustainability, the structure integrates passive cooling techniques and strategically arranged structural blocks to promote natural airflow. It uses low-carbon construction materials, solar technologies, and energy-efficient lighting, all in line with Japanese and international environmental standards. Accessibility was a core principle in the design, with features such as Braille signage, inclusive pathways, and interactive elements tailored to diverse user needs. Visually, the pavilion is marked by a modular façade inspired by Voronoi diagrams, offering both aesthetic impact and functional flexibility. This element contributes to the pavilion's adaptability and environmental harmony. Since opening, the Saudi Pavilion has welcomed more than 500,000 visitors.

Echoes of Trump's Gulf Tour in Washington
Echoes of Trump's Gulf Tour in Washington

Daily News Egypt

time2 days ago

  • Daily News Egypt

Echoes of Trump's Gulf Tour in Washington

Donald Trump's recent tour of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar was, by all accounts, a resounding success. In less than 72 hours, the US president secured deals worth nearly $4trn, while the Gulf states saw in these agreements an opportunity for economic and security partnerships they have long sought—strategic imperatives tied to their national survival and continuity. On the surface, it was a mutually beneficial enterprise. However, across the Atlantic, skepticism abounds. In Washington, many observers perceive Trump's Gulf deals as rife with conflicts of interest and ethical ambiguities. During his return flight aboard Air Force One, the US president conspicuously sidestepped questions from journalists about the legal and moral implications of his family's business dealings in the region. When asked about a $2bn cryptocurrency deal reportedly struck by a UAE-based company with a Trump-affiliated firm, he disclaimed knowledge: 'I really don't know anything about it,' he insisted, before reiterating his enthusiasm for cryptocurrency and warning that, should the US fail to lead in crypto and AI, China inevitably will. Further controversy surrounds the proposed 'LIV Golf' resort project—heavily financed by Saudi Arabia and linked to Trump—which reportedly featured prominently in his private discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. And this was merely one among a slew of deals inked during the visit, involving Trump family ventures in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman. These included the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Dubai, a Doha golf resort in partnership with Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, Trump Tower Jeddah, a hotel under construction in Muscat, and a partnership with Saudi-based Dar Global. These lucrative ventures bearing the Trump name have fueled political uproar in Washington—not only among Trump's Democratic opponents but even within Republican circles. Critics note that the US president never formally divested from the Trump Organization and continues to profit from its business dealings well into his political comeback, actively promoting these ventures despite officially transferring management to his family before reentering office. This tangled web of personal gain and public duty has eroded voter trust. As US media outlets increasingly question whether Trump prioritizes national interests or personal enrichment in shaping foreign policy, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt felt compelled to declare that any gifts from foreign governments were being handled 'in full compliance with all applicable laws' and that the administration remained committed to complete transparency. Trump's strategic embrace of the Middle East is no secret. The region provides fertile ground for the US president's ambitions to recast himself as both a global peace broker and a champion of open business and diplomacy. In this context, it was hardly surprising that, during his Riyadh visit, he unveiled plans to lift US sanctions on Syria and extended an olive branch to Iran, offering 'a new and hopeful path' toward a better future. While visiting Qatar, he publicly praised the warming ties between Doha and Riyadh and lavished compliments on his Qatari host: 'We just came from Saudi Arabia, where we have another great friend. You guys get along beautifully, and you remind me of each other—both tall, handsome, and very smart.' Such sentiments marked a striking pivot from Trump's first term, when he had singled out Qatar as a chief sponsor of terrorism. Nor was it surprising that he defended Qatar's controversial gift of a private jet—a Boeing 747 worth over $1bn, twice the aircraft's publicly stated value—hailing it as a 'magnificent gesture' and suggesting it would be foolish to refuse. Trump insisted the plane would eventually be donated to his presidential library foundation upon leaving office. Democrats swiftly seized on the growing scandal. The Democratic National Committee announced plans to fly a banner reading 'Qatar-a-Lago' over Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, while some Republican allies voiced unease. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin labeled the aircraft gift 'a bizarre gesture,' and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas warned it could raise serious espionage and surveillance concerns. Now, that very jet may serve as grounds for congressional action against Trump. The spark came at a White House press conference when Trump expelled an NBC journalist for broaching the topic. Lawmakers are now examining legislative amendments to block the jet's entry into the United States, potentially risking political fractures within the Republican Party while arming Democrats with a potent line of attack ahead of a turbulent midterm season. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer unveiled draft legislation to prohibit the use of any foreign aircraft for presidential transport, framing Trump's scheme as a national security hazard laced with corruption allegations. The bill would prevent the Pentagon from allocating any federal funds to acquire, modify, or maintain such an aircraft for presidential use. According to NBC News, the plane's true value exceeds $1bn, far surpassing the declared figure and threatening to burden American taxpayers. Senator Rand Paul voiced concern that the Qatar jet risked overshadowing what had otherwise been a diplomatically fruitful Middle East tour. Trump, meanwhile, took to his Truth Social platform to accuse 'crooked Democrats' of being incensed by what he called a transparent and public gift to the Defense Department intended to replace the aging 40-year-old presidential aircraft. Ultimately, Trump's Gulf visit revealed how thoroughly the lines between public office and private business interests have blurred. US media outlets are now delving deeper into these murky intersections, with further revelations likely to follow. Dr. Hatem Sadek – Professor at Helwan University

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store