Egypt lays gas-hub foundations

President Sisi has signed into law new gas-sector regulations expanding the role of the private sector

A casual reader of Egypt's Official Gazette mightn't find much in the way of excitement in Law 196 of 2017. But for anyone interested in the country's burgeoning natural gas sector it's hugely important. In effect, Egypt is taking a giant step towards becoming the region's natural gas hub and putting itself beyond the reach of potential competitors like Cyprus and Turkey. The new law allows private-sector firms to use the state import and distribution infrastructure to trade in natural gas. Section 3 of the regulations states clearly that one of the main aims is to "attract and promote investment in gas-market activities, and encourage a climate of competition in order to establish a competi