RTRS : Egypt says 17 firms interested in gold licences
CAIRO, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Some 17 firms from countries such as Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Australia, Cyprus, and Iraq are interested in gold exploration licences in Egypt's Eastern Desert, the petroleum minister said on Thursday.
"It's clear that gold is starting to create a success story," Sameh Fahmy said at a news conference, where he was asked about interest in the bid round for gold exploration in seven blocks in the Eastern Desert. Bids are due in on Oct. 7.
The news conference followed a signing ceremony for a licence worth $4.5 million with a Cypriot firm identified as Matz Holding to explore for gold and minerals, also in the Eastern Desert. (Reporting by Maha El Dahan; editing by James Jukwey)
