The Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA) reached an agreement with Nile Valley Company to construct a EGP 35 mn nuclear fuel factory, authority chief Atef Abdel Hamid told reporters yesterday, according to Al Mal. The facility will be constructed over two phases, with the first phase slated for completion within three years. Meanwhile, the authority is also planning to export radioisotopes to Arab countries including Syria and Jordan, Abdel Hamid said. Egypt already has a surplus of radioisotopes, which are used for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases including cancer. He also told Youm7 that Egypt had already sent samples to Russia in a bid to increase exports. Former Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab inaugurated the radioisotope generator at the experimental nuclear reactor in Inshas in August 2015. The USD 21.37 mn project came as part of plans to expand the reactor’s usage for civilian purposes, Abdel Hamid said at the time.