Egypt's Irrigation Minister Hossam Moghazy said a contract will be signed on December 16 with an international consultancy office to conduct required studies on Ethiopia's controversial dam.
Addressing a news conference in Cairo, Moghazy said the contract will be inked in Addis Ababa.
The step follows a tripartite meeting of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia in the Egyptian capital on the issue.
Seven consultancy offices will be invited to Cairo to offer bids and meet with representatives of the three countries, said the minister.
The required studies should be finalized within five months, he noted.