The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved funding sanitation projects in 84 villages in Fayyoum with a total of 200 million euros, Minister of Housing Mostafa Madbouli said on Wednesday.

In a released statement, Madbouli said the project aims at clearing Qaroun Lake and improving its environmental conditions so as to be utilized in tourism projects.

The minister said the project was approved during the meetings of the EBRD Governors Council which is currently in session in Cyprus.

He asserted that EBRD officials are ready to sign the agreement of the project at any time to be set by the Egyptian government.

The minister also said he discussed with the bank officials other important projects; the first is a sanitation project that aims at clearing Manzala Lake and treatment of around 5 million cubic meters of wastewater. The second project is extending a railway to link al-Ain al Sokhna with the New Administrative Capital, 6th of October City and New Alameen.

He said EBRD officials were deeply interested in the second project and showed willingness to contribute to its funding with the Egyptian government upon finalizing the feasibility studies.