PROFIT AND RESPONSIBILITY

Protecting the environment is an important aspect of HKS Group projects

Easy access to drinking water is an essential requirement for tourism development. Providing water to Sharm El Sheikh, one of the most successful tourist resorts on the Sinai peninsula, is the South Sinai Water Company (SSWC), the largest privately-owned desalination plant in Egypt.

SSWC is part of the HKS Group, a leading private sector investment company. Over the last 25 years, the group’s activities have ranged from oil and gas, power generation, and construction, to tourism and infrastructure.
As the owner of the Jolie Ville Hotel chain, HKS is a major player in the tourism and travel industry, which it now regards as its core business. Recently, the group established the first private sector duty free company, Sharm El Sheikh Duty Free Shops, occupying retail outlets in Sharm El Sheikh International Airport.

“We have also opened a new business center for conference tourism in Naama Bay in Sharm El Sheikh, which can accommodate up to 1000 visitors,” says HKS Chairman Hussein K. Salem.

Environmental concerns are high on the HKS Group’s list of priorities. Its SSWC plant uses the environmentally-friendly reverse osmosis process, and the MIDOR Electricity Company (MidElec), which HKS established to provide electricity to the oil refineries in Alexandria, owns a state-of-the-art gas turbine power plant.

Mr. Salem says the private sector today is gradually leading the Egyptian economy, and that brings responsibilities. “There are social duties that we have to undertake,” he declares. “We have to participate in areas such as education, infrastructure development, and charities.”

HKS is committed to supporting the communities in which it operates, providing funds for humanitarian organizations, and development and infrastructure programs.

Mr. Salem describes Egypt as a safe and stable place for foreign investors and says the Egyptian private sector is ready to provide help and support. “The market here is very big and there is plenty of demand.”