Kharafi National has partnered with the Ministry of Electricity to deliver 2,000 mega-watt through three large projects in Ismailia and Damietta.
Eng. Elia Saber, Executive Manager of Kharafi National has extensive experience exceeding 48 years in the field of contracting, construction, and building. He joined Kharafi National in 1990 and has worked with the company in several countries, including Kuwait, UAE, Egypt, and Lebanon. Since 2014, Eng. Elia Saber has led Kharafi National operations in Egypt during a period of a construction renaissance and an unprecedented qualitative leap in the country’s mega projects .
In an interview with The Egyptian Gazette newspaper, Saber discussed the vast scope of Kharafi National’s projects in Egypt, their partnerships with government institutions and private companies, and the company’s strategic vision for being one of the region’s top construction developers.
Energy is the foundation of progress
Eng. Elia Saber confirmed the crucial role that Kharafi National played in solving Egypt’s electricity crisis through partnership with the government institutions in energy mega projects, stressing that “Energy is the basis of life, development, progress and civilization in all fields” he stated.
From 2011 to 2013, the company worked with the Ministry of Electricity to deliver three mega power generation projects, totaling 2,000 megawatt. These included a 1,000 mega-watt plant in Ismailia and two 500 mega-watt plants each in Kafr El Batikh and Damietta city.
Kharafi National has implemented 14 power substation with the government and still implementing a series of substations in Asyut, Sohag, Abu Zaabal, West Damietta, Borg El Arab, Toshka and about 5 substations in the New Delta.
With the private sector, the company has implemented power substations in partnership with Midar company, and Emaar Misr in Marassi and Uptown.
Currently, the company is working on several mega power projects, including a 66KV station in the New Delta, development of a new substation in St. Catherine, and the support and development of the Nuweiba substation.
Saber pointed that the company is also developing a gigantic national project in Saint Catherine and Nuweiba one of the company’s most significant projects, in partnership with UNESCO, is a 220KV transmission line between Nuweiba and Saint Catherine.
This project, which began in February is scheduled for completion in October 2024, and is part of an effort to preserve the environment and promote Saint Catherine as an attractive religious tourism destination.
Water & wastewater Projects
In terms of water and wastewater projects, Eng. Elia Saber said that Kharafi National is involved in major water and wastewater projects.
Currently, the company is working in a large-scale project with the Industrial Development Authority in Beni Suef and the project is currently in its final stages, and also executing two projects with the Sanitary Drainage Authority for Greater Cairo, one of which is AL-Robeiky Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant with a capacity of 24,000 M3/day, which will serve the city’s industrial zone.
Saber noted that Kharafi National is currently negotiating to acquire a second wastewater plant in Al-Robeiky as well as water lifting stations in Toshka and New Delta projects.
Infrastructure
Eng. Elia Saber explained that Kharafi National is collaborating with the Egyptian government on infrastructure projects for the massive Toshka project development in Upper Egypt, the Sinai development project, and the New Delta project.
Saber added that the Company also works with real estate developers such as Emaar Misr company, Tatweer Misr, Mostakbal Misr, Capital Group company, Madinat Misr company, and others in the infrastructure’s field.
Facilities Management
Eng. Elia Saber stressed that Kharafi National has a long track record in the field of Facilities Management, where the company manages key facilities for major Egyptian institutions, including Cairo International Airport Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, the headquarters of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), and 150 branches and a residential city belonging to the bank, main branch and several branches of Banque Misr (BM), and the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Midtown branch, the New Administrative Capital and Mansoura branches.
Saber added that Kharafi National partners with leading real estate developers to manage facilities works such as Marassi water treatment plant.
Also, the company carried out the construction, maintenance and operation of Al-Mostakbal City treatment plant, as well as the maintenance of Taj Sultan project for Madinat Masr Company.
National Projects
Eng. Elia emphasized that Egypt’s leadership has achieved a miraculous transformation in Toshka. “Toshka project is bigger than the High Dam in terms of the sheer scale of work,” he noted.
Saber clarified that Kharafi National has played a crucial role in delivering infrastructure for Toshka, including water pumping stations and distribution networks, with a total project value of EGP 8 billion over 18 months.
Looking ahead, Eng. Elia Saber highlighted that the Egyptian administration is implementing a massive project in New Delta with a focus on developing Egypt’s western side in terms of agricultural areas, road networks, and power stations to exploit its natural resources noting that Kharafi National is currently involved in delivering 2 distribution stations for the New Delta.
Saber stressed that the construction sector in Egypt has witnessed a huge civilizational shift over the past 10 years and in record time, with the construction of many important vital projects such as the new administrative capital, new cities, new factories, road networks and new means of transportation, all of which have created many job opportunities and contributed to the stabilization of the national economy under unstable global conditions.
success Partners
Eng. Elia Saber emphasized that Kharafi National since its inception in 1999 in the Egyptian market has developed many distinguished projects with success partners in both the government and private sectors, pointing out that all the authorities, institutions and companies that Kharafi National has worked with are still keen to continue working with it, which confirms the company’s success in gaining its customers’ trust and satisfaction by providing high-quality services and solutions and delivering projects on time and with no delays.
In the public sector, Kharafi National has worked with Ministry of Electricity and Energy, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company
Industrial Development Authority, as well as the Sanitary Drainage Authority for Greater Cairo.
In the private sector, Kharafi national collaborates with major developers such as Midar Company, Emaar Misr, Tatweer Misr, Madinat Misr, the Saudi Egyptian Developers, the Administrative Capital Company and other prominent companies.
Eng. Elia mentioned several key projects, including the infrastructure works, the drainage station, the 220KV power station and the network works of Al-Mostakbal City since 2013, and current work valued at EGP 3 billion.
The company also delivered roads and infrastructure for Emaar Misr namely Uptown, Sol, Bevly and Cairo Gate in 6th of October City, as well as the Manchester Club and the infrastructure of the first phase for Capital Group Company, in addition to the infrastructure of Taj Sultan and Taj City projects for Madinat Misr company, and currently implementing with the Saudi Egyptian Developers the infrastructure of the Bleu Vert project in the New Administrative Capital at a cost of half a billion EGP.
Sustainable Development
Eng. Elia Saber affirmed that Kharafi National adheres to strict sustainability standards across all its projects, including construction, contracting, and facilities management, as there are specialized departments that work according to sustainability standards in order to support various projects, “Our approach saves time, effort, and cost, while ensuring high productivity and client satisfaction,” he said.
Human Resource
Eng. Elia Saber emphasized that 3 basic rules are the foundation on which the contracting sector is formed, namely: The human resource, equipments and capital. He is considering that the most important element is the human resource, which is an original asset and the most important element of success, noting that Kharafi National is keen to train and qualify its employees, starting from engineers, technicians, workers and administrators, and develop their capabilities through thoughtful programs and training courses.
He stressed that the company pays special attention to its employees by providing medical and residential services worthy of its cadres.
Reasons of success
Eng. Elia Saber explained that the loyalty and belonging of all employees at all levels of the company is the first point on which Kharafi National focuses on achieving success, as the company never skimp or neglect the rights of its employees at all levels.
Also, the company is characterized by an integrated management system that is accurate and flexible at all administrative levels.
The company is keen to choose non-risky work locations, as the company prefers to work in stable markets in order to protect its employees and property.
Future Vision
Eng Elia Saber pointed out that Kharafi National recently opened a branch in Saudi Arabia, set to begin operations in October 2024.
Saber stated that the entire company’s departments are working jointly to support the start of the company’s branch in the Saudi market.
Looking to the future, Saber expressed his ambition for Kharafi National is to remain constant as a giant company, and one of the leading developers in the construction sector.
“With a current portfolio in Egypt valued at EGP 30 billion, the company has a clear strategy in place to achieve its goals and maintain its strong position through 2027. The company’s business operations in 2024 exceeds EGP 12 billion, with EGP 8.5 billion completed in 2023“, Saber concluded. He added that he is proud and grateful for Kharafi National’s competitive position in the Egyptian market in which it operates.
