Egyptian cabinet has approved a framework agreement between the National Authority for Military Production and China-based company GCL to build solar panels manufacturing complex in Aswan, Invest-Gate reports.

The complex’s total cost is expected to range between USD 2 and 3 bn and will have a manufacturing capacity of 5 gigawatts.

Minister of Military Production Mohamed El-Assar has said in a press conference that implementation will start this year and production is expected to begin in 2019, to reach full capacity in 2022.

 GCL, according to El-Assar, will draft the project’s blueprints, offer equipment, and handle technical supervision, while Egypt will allocate the land and issue the necessary permits.

“The Egyptian sand that will be used in the project is considered to be among the best worldwide,” he added.

El-Assar also revealed that the complex will export panels to Africa and the Middle East.