The MSEA, and its executive institution, the EEAA, recognize that effective pollution control resulting from the industrial sector is a prerequisite not only for improving environmental conditions and public health, but also for achieving sustainable industrial growth in the long term. In this respect, the abatement of industrial pollution is one of the top priorities of the MSEA and EEAA. This is primarily achieved through the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, but also through promoting self-monitoring and assisting industrial establishments to comply through various support mechanisms.

Within this framework, industrial inspections, carried out during 2000/2001 by the Environmental Inspection Unit of EEAA in collaboration with the RBO's, were geographically based. Primary focus areas included the Mansoura Canal in Dakahliya Governorate, the Eskandar Canal in Qaliubiya Governorate, and the Difsha Canal in Beheira and Alexandria Governorates.

Throughout 2000/2001 training of inspectors, including those of the RBO's and governorate EMU's on inspection planning and reporting as well as on technical and legal aspects has taken place, with support from the Egyptian Environmental Policy Program, Danida, as well as the Environmental Pollution Abatement initiative of the Finnish Government. Within the framework of the assistance offered by the latter, the general industrial inspection guidelines were reviewed and updated, and sector-specific inspection guidelines for the paper, textile, metal and engineering industries, prepared to be finalized in 2001/2002. Furthermore, an industrial emissions inventory for the Alexandria and Suez governorates have been conducted in cooperation with the Environmental Quality Sector of EEAA.

The year 2000/2001 has also witnessed a continuous direct technical support to industrial establishments through the initiative for Industrial Pollution Abatement of the Finnish Government, resulting in the conduct of environmental audits, the review of tendering documents for pollution abatement investments, as well as the set up of self monitoring systems for a number of these establishments. With the objective of enhancing pollution control management practices in industrial establishments, training programs for air pollution abatement were conducted in 2000/2001, targeting middle management in the sector.

In support to the implementation of the GEAP's in Sohag and Dakahliya, opportunities for cleaner production have been assessed and demonstration projects carried out in small and medium scale enterprises in the two governorates. The aim of these projects, carried out within the context of the Support for Environmental Assessment and Management initiative, of the United Kingdom Department for International Development, is to demonstrate how the proper application of relatively simple cleaner production and pollution control measures, can enhance efficiency, reduce pollution, yield financial savings and improve the environment for surrounding communities.

Plans for 2001/2002 include the finalization of the designing phase of the Industrial Pollution Information System (IPIS), and its initiation, as well as the investigation of the possibilities of linking it to other information systems within EEAA, such as those of the Environmental Impact Assessment and the Public Complaints. Furthermore, and with assistance from the Environmental Pollution Abatement initiative of the Finnish Government, the preparation of an industrial emission inventory for the governorates of Cairo and Qaliubiya will be initiated, as well as the finalization of sector specific inspection guidelines for a number of industrial sectors such as ceramics, fertilizers, chemicals and tanning. Inspection guidelines for the cross-cutting issues of industrial solid and hazardous wastes, industrial effluent treatment plants and energy production units will also be prepared, as well as a strategy on cleaner technology, carried out in cooperation with relevant departments and initiatives within MSEA and EEAA.

Finally, EEAA, in collaboration with the Danish Government, will participate in the implementation of a program to support the Federation of Egyptian Industries with the promotion and demonstration of cleaner technologies among the members of the Federation.