A project to develop 1,153 most-in-need villages across Egypt is set to cost a total of 200 million pounds, the environment minister has said.

The first phase included villages in the governorates of Sharqiya, Behaira, Minya, Assiut, Sohag and Qena, Khaled Fahmy said, noting that it cost 62 million pounds.

As many as 373 villages in Sharqiya, Minya, Assiut, Sohag, Qena and Luxor were targeted as part of the second phase of the project and cost 105 million pounds, Fahmy added.

Work is under way to develop 295 villages in Minya, Assiut, Sohag and Qena, the minister said, expecting it to end in 2016.
Source: MENA