Orascom Construction looks to be eyeing recurring revenue as CEO Osama Bishai tells Hapi Journal the company has appetite for investment in water management, desalination, and renewable energy. The company is also considering entering the healthcare sector, but would likely only do so by partnering with a more experienced player, said Bishai. On the flipside, OC is unlikely to invest in education or mining, or to reinvest in cement and fertilizers (industries to which OC can trace its lineage), though it would consider investments in other industrial sectors depending on the available ventures.

Opening up the economy to the private sector and sharing in the risk burden should be a key policy priority for the government to encourage private investments, Bishai said in the wide-ranging interview, pointing out that sharing the risk of an investment would allow businesses greater access to lending.

Is Orascom interested in a stake in the Siemens combined-cycle power plants? It depends on the terms of the sale, which have not been made public, said Bishai. Because of the size of the plants, the transaction would have to involve a partnership with other players, such as international funds, said Bishai.

Six investors have already expressed interest in acquiring stakes, including Actis, Blackstone Group’s Zarou, France’s Engie, China Datang Overseas, and Edra Holding. The three combined-cycle power plants of 4.8 GW each were developed by Siemens and partners including Orascom Construction. The transaction could wrap as early as this year.