Addressing a conference on investment in Upper Egypt in Luxor Saturday 10/5/2008, Investment Minister Mahmoud Mohieddin said the government has taken multiple steps to encourage investments and push forward the wheel of development in Upper Egypt under the directives of President Hosni Mubarak.

Agriculture projects have been attracting more and more investors to the Upper Egyptian governorates over the past couple of years, especially in the shade of the current global food crisis and the soaring food prices which are driving investors to pump more capital in agricultural projects, he said.

The government is developing the entire infrastructure of the area by improving roads, communications, transportation, electricity, drinking water and sanitation networks and is updating education and health care systems and all other basic services to make the place more appealing to potential investors, he said.

The government has offered many incentives, facilities and free land to investors wishing to implement projects in Upper Egypt, he said, noting that 35 percent of economic projects established in the area since 1970 were launched just four years ago.

Mohieddin spoke about the government's plans to improve and expand its road networks, for example the Upper Egypt-Red Sea road noting that upgrading trade routes will help give a stronger boost to trade and exports.