IFC to help boost private sector involvement in the airport sector: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will provide advisory services aimed at expanding private sector participation in Egypt’s airports under an agreement inked with the Madbouly government yesterday, according to a cabinet statement. The IFC will help identify airport projects that can be carried out through public-private partnerships.

Part of a wider plan: The government plans to invite private sector players, including foreign companies, to take over the management of all of Egypt’s airports.

Refresher: Civil Aviation Minister Sameh Elhefny said last month that the IFC and the government had plans to reach an agreement on the privatization plan for the management of 11 airports by mid-March. At the time he said that the first phase will see the IFC offer Hurghada Airport, followed by Sphinx Airport. Unconfirmed reports out in February said that the IFC’s full airport privatization plan should be out within six months.

Global players are interested: Elhefny previously said that major global companies have expressed interest in managing Egyptian airports, including the three largest operators in Europe. Prior to that, Hassan Allam Holding and France’s Groupe Aéroports de Paris had submitted a proposal to manage and operate local airports.

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