Cairo, November 9, 2024: The Egyptian Refining Company (ERC), Qalaa Holdings’ subsidiary in the energy sector, recently celebrated the graduation of the eighth cohort from its "Mostakbaly" program and awarded the beneficiaries who received scholarships under the initiative, highlighting its role in supporting educational and community development efforts that contribute to sustainable development and serve the local community. The company also organized a tour in its refinery in Mostorod to review the latest operational, economic, environmental, and social developments. The visit highlighted the project's achievements, underscoring its strategic role in reducing reliance on petroleum imports and strengthening Egypt’s energy security.
H.E Eng. Ayman Mohamed Ibrahim Attia, Governor of Qalyubia: The project creates significant value for surrounding communities, aligns with sustainable development goals, enhances living standards, and strengthens the efficiency of the local workforce
Dr. Mohamed El Okaby, the official spokesperson of Ministry of Social Solidarity, Assistant to the Minister of Social Solidarity for Strategic Communication and Media: Corporate social responsibility in the education sector plays a pivotal role in fostering sustainable development, and we commend the significant contributions made by Qalaa Holdings and the Egyptian Refining Company. The collaboration between the private sector, civil society institutions, and government creates a powerful synergy that drives long-term, sustainable growth and development
Dr. Ahmed Heikal, Chairman and Founder of Qalaa Holdings: Proud to present the Egyptian Refining Company (ERC) as a flagship project that reflects Qalaa Holdings’ dedication to responsible and transformative investments. This commitment is based on four key pillars: driving economic growth and prosperity while achieving shareholder value, safeguarding the environment, balancing lives and livelihood of our employees, and empowering communities with a strong focus on education—because education is the foundation of sustainable development
Dr. Mohamed Saad, President of Egyptian Refining Company: The company stands as a holistic ESG model, delivering lasting value to Qalyubia Governorate. Our commitment lies in advancing sustainable economic growth through the creation of direct and indirect job opportunities, improving infrastructure in neighboring communities, and boosting Egypt’s energy security
Aliaa Heikal, Chief Financial Officer of Egyptian Refining Company: The company continues to make remarkable strides in its operations, advancing under an ambitious strategy to expand production capacity. Guided by a commitment to sustainability, we leverage state-of-the-art technologies to ensure operational excellence and minimize environmental impact
Ghada Hammouda, Group Chief Sustainability & Marketing Officer of Qalaa Holdings: In a rapidly changing world full of challenges, the private sector plays a crucial role in investing in talent and human capital development, nurturing creativity, and instilling hope and trust in the youth, who are the architects of the future. At Qalaa Holdings and its subsidiaries, we prioritize comprehensive community development initiatives and strategic partnerships that create equitable opportunities for high-quality education, while contributing to the growth of a competitive, resilient, and sustainable economy
Hani Ismail, Head of Community Development at the Egyptian Refining Company: The company’s community development strategy is centered on responding to local needs and building capacity also in addition to focusing on providing financial support and creating equitable access to quality education, while enhancing the quality of life in neighboring communities
Cairo, November 9, 2024: The Egyptian Refining Company (ERC), Qalaa Holdings’ subsidiary in the energy sector, recently celebrated the graduation of the eighth cohort from its "Mostakbaly" program and awarded the beneficiaries who received scholarships under the initiative, highlighting its role in supporting educational and community development efforts that contribute to sustainable development and serve the local community. The company also organized a tour in its refinery in Mostorod to review the latest operational, economic, environmental, and social developments. The visit highlighted the project's achievements, underscoring its strategic role in reducing reliance on petroleum imports and strengthening Egypt’s energy security.
The project was developed by Qalaa Holdings in partnership with a consortium of leading local, gulf, and international investors , in addition to global export credit agencies and development finance institutions, with a total investment of $4.3 billion. Designed to meet the growing local demand for high-value refined petroleum products, the project helps reduce reliance on imports and supports sustainable economic growth. It plays a crucial role in enhancing Egypt's energy security by saving the country between $600 million and $1 billion annually, providing local alternatives to imports. Through the supply of high-value products such as Euro V diesel and other fuels to the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), the project helps meet 30% to 40% of Egypt's current diesel import requirements.
Beyond its economic impact, the project significantly enhances Egypt's environmental performance by converting low-value fuel oil into high-value distillates petroleum products, leading to a reduction in carbon emissions and other pollutants. The Egyptian Refining Company (ERC) plays a vital role in cutting sulfur dioxide emissions by 186,000 tons annually, representing a 29% reduction in Egypt’s daily sulfur dioxide emissions. Additionally, the project helps reduce sulfur emissions by 100,357 tons per year, further advancing the country's environmental sustainability goals.
The company is committed to protecting local water resources by ensuring that no industrial wastewater is discharged into the Ismailia Canal. To achieve this, the project is equipped with a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant that adheres to both local and international standards, safeguarding the canal’s water quality. This initiative reflects our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 12 on "Responsible Production & Consumption", as the project incorporates sustainable environmental practices into its strategy and operations.
On the social front, the project has implemented a series of integrated human capital development programs, including the "Mostakbaly" initiative, which offers scholarships to students, teachers, and those in technical education. In its eighth year, the program has successfully provided 32 technical training scholarships at the Salesian Don Bosco Institute (with 13 awarded to women), 40 scholarships for teachers, 19 for university students, and 4 for postgraduate studies through the Qalaa Holdings Scholarship Foundation (QHSF). The initiative focuses on improving education quality and creating equal opportunities for those in surrounding communities, through partnerships with ministries, universities, and civil society organizations. These efforts contribute to the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals, including improving education quality, advancing gender equality, and fostering decent work and economic growth.
His Excellency Eng. Ayman Mohamed Ibrahim Attia, Governor of Qalyubia, expressed his appreciation for the significant achievements of the Egyptian Refining Company and its positive social and economic impact on the governorate. He stated: " The project creates significant value to surrounding communities, aligns with sustainable development goals, enhances living standards, and strengthens the efficiency of the local workforce." He further noted, "It is a valuable addition to the country’s energy infrastructure, providing petroleum products that meet international environmental standards, while delivering measurable benefits to the community in line with the governorate’s development objectives." The Governor reaffirmed that Qalyubia will continue to support projects like this, which drive sustainable development and align with Egypt’s Vision 2030.
Dr. Mohamed El Okaby, the official spokesperson of Ministry of Social Solidarity, Assistant to the Minister of Social Solidarity for Strategic Communication and Media, emphasized, "At the Ministry of Social Solidarity, we view education as the fundamental pillar for societal development, serving as both the means and the outcome of progress. Our goal is to provide as many children from underprivileged families as possible with access to quality education, enabling them to contribute to sustainable and inclusive development. Corporate social responsibility in the education sector plays a crucial role in fostering long-term growth, and we commend the impactful contributions of Qalaa Holdings and the Egyptian Refining Company. The collaboration between the private sector, civil society, and government creates a powerful synergy that drives lasting, sustainable development."
Dr. Ahmed Heikal, Chairman and Founder of Qalaa Holdings, conveyed his pride in presenting the Egyptian Refining Company (ERC) as a flagship project that exemplifies Qalaa Holdings' commitment to responsible and transformative investments. This vision is based on four core pillars: driving economic growth and prosperity while achieving shareholder value, safeguarding the environment, balancing lives and livelihoods of our employees, and empowering communities with a strong focus on education—because education is the foundation of sustainable development. At Qalaa Holdings, we are committed to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, with a focus on building sustainable investments that deliver value for all stakeholders.
Heikal further emphasized, "We take great pride in the achievements of the beneficiaries of our community development programs and their ongoing contributions to society. We are excited to witness their continued positive impact. This success highlights the effectiveness of the Egyptian Refining Company in offering a holistic and impactful model for community development. It reflects Qalaa Holdings' steadfast commitment to driving comprehensive development, with nearly EGP 1 billion invested in community projects since the company's inception."
Dr. Mohamed Saad, President of the Egyptian Refining Company, highlighted, "The company serves as a comprehensive ESG model, delivering significant, long-term value to Qalyubia Governorate. Our commitment is focused on driving sustainable economic growth by creating both direct and indirect job opportunities, enhancing infrastructure in surrounding communities, and strengthening Egypt's energy security." He further explained, "Our strategy aims to reduce reliance on imports by producing high-quality petroleum products that address local market demands. At the same time, we are dedicated to generating employment opportunities and contributing to energy security while supporting the growth of neighboring communities. The company is committed to leveraging advanced technology in refining processes, positioning itself as a leader among Africa’s refining facilities. We also prioritize empowering Egypt's talented youth by ensuring access to quality education, fostering entrepreneurship, and driving technological innovation to enhance individual productivity and creativity. Furthermore, we remain focused on expanding opportunities for young people to secure meaningful, high-impact employment."
Aliaa Heikal, Chief Financial Officer of Egyptian Refining Company, shed the light on the company’s remarkable progress, with operations running smoothly as part of a bold strategy to expand production capacity. This growth is powered by state-of-the-art technologies designed to enhance production efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. She further explained that the company’s approach is focused on delivering innovative energy solutions that align with global sustainability goals, particularly in reducing carbon emissions and adopting cutting-edge technologies to preserve natural resources. In parallel, the company remains committed to making a positive, lasting impact on local communities through its ongoing community development initiatives.
She underscored that the company’s community development programs are characterized by their diversity, inclusion, innovation, and holistic approach. These initiatives span educational development through the “Mostakbaly” program, job creation, and initiatives aimed at empowering women and youth, such as the “Tamkeen” and “Mashrouy” programs. The company also provides support for individuals with disabilities through its “Takaful” program and focuses on building youth capabilities through the “Reyada” program.
Ghada Hammouda, Group Chief Sustainability & Marketing Officer of Qalaa Holdings, stated: "In a rapidly changing world full of challenges, the private sector plays a crucial role in investing in talent and human capital development, nurturing creativity, and instilling hope and trust in the youth, who are the architects of the future. At Qalaa Holdings and its subsidiaries, we prioritize comprehensive community development initiatives and strategic partnerships that create equitable opportunities for high-quality education, while contributing to the growth of a competitive, resilient, and sustainable economy. Hammouda also emphasized that successful and impactful collaborations with government agencies and civil society organizations are crucial to achieving sustainable development, ensuring lasting impact, and improving the quality of life for all.”
Qalaa Holdings and its subsidiaries have been at the forefront of community development, with a particular focus on advancing education across all stages. Starting with kindergarten, the company has supported primary school teachers through the "Mostakbaly for Teachers" program and the "Nadarty" initiative. This commitment extends through to higher education and vocational training, where Qalaa Holdings provides scholarships for university and technical students via the "Mostakbaly" program. The Qalaa Holdings Scholarship Foundation further supports graduate education by offering master's scholarships, along with financial assistance to the Qalaa Holdings Financial Services Center at the American University in Cairo. Beyond education, the company fosters social empowerment through initiatives like "Tamkeen" and "Mashrouy," which support women and youth, as well as "Reyada," which promotes entrepreneurship, and "Takaful," which helps individuals with disabilities. So far, around 54,200 individuals have benefited directly from these impactful programs, reflecting Qalaa Holdings' unwavering commitment to sustainable development and nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Hani Ismail, Head of Community Development at The Egyptian Refining Company, noted: "We have created a holistic community development model that aligns with the state's efforts to enhance the educational system. Our community development strategy centers on building human capital, providing access to funding, and ensuring equal opportunities for quality education, while also improving the standard of living in the communities where we operate. Through our various programs, we aim to cultivate a generation of innovators with the vision and capabilities to make a lasting, positive impact. As a result, our initiatives have benefited a total of 95,650 individuals through the “Mashrouy” program, 9,715 through “Tamkeen”, 546,700 through “Mostakbaly”, 16,859 through “Reyada”, and 16,060 through “Takaful”.
It is also worth noting that the Egyptian Refining Company continues its leadership role in community development at various levels, striving to make a positive and measurable impact in the surrounding communities, including El-Khosous, East Shubra El-Kheima, and Matariya.