Construction materials, components, and systems in Egypt

and Egyptian firms identified. After a description of the industry in terms of current and planned levels of activity, major segments, and objectives, the role of government as both regulator and participant in construction and its changing policy toward the private sector is reviewed. Succeeding chapters treat: (1) basic construction materials, their pricing, projected demand, planned production levels, and projected gaps and surpluses; (2) construction machinery and equipment in terms of ownership and utilization, cost management, spare parts and maintenance, imports, requirements, rental, and prospects for local manufacturing; (3) infrastructural, structural, and scaffolding construction systems, together with building standards and completion, finishing, and installation techniques; (4) the size, structure, and management of the labor force, as well as its use of architectural and engineering services and its needs and constraints; (5) major sources of construction finance and industry financial problems; and (6) competition in the industry in terms of local suppliers and producers, import/export firms, payment terms and markups, and the market exposure of U.S. firms versus major competitors. U.S. investment opportunities are assessed and five high-potential areas profiled - prefabricated low-cost housing; pre-engineered steel buildings; metal scaffolding, forming, and shoring; central air conditioning; and reinforcing steel bars. Thirty-one tables illustrate the text.