House to extend discussion period over bill regulating use of plastic bags

The House of Representatives’ Industry Committee has agreed to extend the period of deliberations over a draft law regulating the use of plastic bags, the local press reports. The committee’s deputy chairman Mohamed Moustafa El Sallab said that the Environment Ministry had requested that the committee postpone discussion of the draft bill submitted in June of last year. The ministry said it needs to conduct a comprehensive study of the situation on the ground and submit another proposal in April that allows relevant industries an appropriate adjustment period. Chairman of the Export Council for Chemical Industries and Fertilizers Khaled Abul Makarem rejected the idea of an outright ban on the production of plastic bags, saying it would result in the closure of around 3k plastic factories.