This came during the inking of a cooperation protocol between the ministries of petroleum and planning on implementing natural gas networks within the framework of the national project for developing the Egyptian countryside under "Decent Life".

The first stage of the project stands at LE 17.2 billion and about 4 million housing units during the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

Mulla said gas projects under the Decent Life initiative would give momentum to infrastructure projects, adding that for the first time natural gas will be extended to more than 7 million housing units within three years.

He noted that this will raise the number of housing units due to benefit from natural gas projects to more than 19 million units.

More than 12.5 million housing units currently benefit from natural gas projects, he said, adding that the Decent Life initiative is a unique project backed by the political leadership.

For her part, Planning Minister Hala el Saeed said the cooperation protocol aims at managing and securing needed finance for implementing natural gas projects.