Chicago’s Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has approved Egypt’s membership in the council and agreed to convene the 2021 edition of its conference in the North African country, Invest-Gate reports.

This came during a meeting between Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Assem El Gazzar and Chairman of CTBUH Steve Watts, on the sidelines of the tenth CTBUH conference, running from October 23 to November 2. Discussions were aimed at underlining means of future cooperation, whereby both parties arranged a visit to Egypt to examine the various aspects of collaboration next February, according to a ministerial statement on October 30.

For his part, El Gazzar highlighted that the government continues to exert extensive efforts to export Egyptian real estate abroad, including the provision and diversification of land plots in new cities, expansion of housing supply, as well as, public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the real estate development sector.

The CTBUH is deemed the world’s leading resource for professionals focused on the inception, design, construction, and operation of tall buildings and future cities. It annually bestows “Tall Building Awards,” with four regional awards to the Middle East and the US, along with Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia regions. Thus, Egypt’s participation in such a major event will positively impact its international image by presenting its various megaprojects as a global hub for development and investment, the minister explained.

“This is a great opportunity to promote our upcoming Central Business District (CBD) in the New Administrative Capital (NAC), which will boast 20 towers, comprising residential, administrative, and commercial options, together with the tallest tower in Africa,” he further stated, confirming that Egypt has been named the three-day event’s country of honor.

An Egyptian delegation, headed by Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities Assem El Gazzar, has reached Chicago to partake in the leading show. This included Deputy Minister of Housing for National Projects Khaled Abbas, Assistant Minister of Housing and Office Supervisor Mohamed Essam El-Din Ramadan, among other officials and dignitaries.