Hamdi Al Banbi


Hamdi Ali Abdul Wahab Al Banbi was an Egyptian businessman and politician who served as oil minister from 1991 to 1999.

Education

Banbi studied petroleum engineering at Texas A&M University and graduated in 1963.

Career

Banbi was an engineer by training. He served as the chairman of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation until 1991. He was appointed oil minister on 20 May 1991 to the cabinet headed by then prime minister Atef Sedki. Banbi replaced Abdel Hadi Qandil as oil minister. Shortly after his appointment, Banbi modified oil pricing of Egypt and also, reshuffled officials at the ministry.
Banbi was also a member of the National Democratic Party and he won a seat in Shebin El Kom, provincial capital of the Monufia governorate, in the mid-term Shura Council elections held in June 1998. He also served as oil minister in the first cabinet of then prime minister Kamal Ganzouri. Banbi was in office until 5 October 1999. Sameh Fahmi succeeded him as oil minister.
After leaving office, Banbi became the coordinator of the energy committee for the national economics and production authority in Egypt. He was also the president of the Arab society for mining and petroleum and the Egypt's gas society. In addition he was a board member of the Egypt's engineering society. Banbi founded TAQA Arabia in 2006, and serves as the chairman of the firm.
Banbi was a member of the Petroleum Engineering Academy of Distinguished Graduates at Texas A&M University.