The economic ministerial committee held a meeting under Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab on Monday to discuss a number of topics in the fuel sector.

The meeting was attended by the ministers of trade and industry, local development, planning, petroleum, supply, electricity, international cooperation and investment.

Cabinet spokesman Hossam Qawish said that the petroleum minister gave, during the meeting, a presentation on the main conditions of two new draft agreements between the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and a number of international companies to explore for oil in two areas in the western desert and Suez Gulf.

The minister also gave a presentation on the natural gas shipments required from the EGPC to meet the needs of fuel, Qawish said.

The spokesman added that the premier ordered completing studies pertaining to the distribution of butane gas cylinder via smart cards.