China has pledged a grant of $ 3 million to finance new and renewable energy equipment in Egypt as part of a cooperation deal signed with Cairo, Environment Minister Khalid Fahmy said on Friday.

In statements, the minister said that the deal includes ways to get rid of agricultural waste, as China owns modern technology to deal with rice straw residues, industrial pollution along with experience in the coal field.

Agricultural waste in Egypt is estimated at 33 million tons, out of 70 million tons of waste, the minister said.

The agricultural waste has an economic value that can be exploited as a source of power, he added.

A new garbage collecting system was applied in Alexandria, Giza and Ismailia, the minister said.

As many as 66 garbage recycling factories have been approved, he added.