OPEN// President Sisi directs gov. to accelerate implementation of projects
CAIRO, June 11 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi emphasized on Wednesday the need to accelerate the implementation of projects, monitor them regularly and ensure they are established in the best possible manner, with the aim of contributing to the development of assets and maximizing their benefit.
He also stressed the importance of good governance in managing resources and assets according to the highest standards. The President directed that partnerships with the private sector should be strengthened, enabling it to play its role in supporting development.
This came during a meeting held today between President Sisi and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Eng. Sherif El-Sherbiny, Presidential Advisor for Urban Planning Gen. Amir Sayed Ahmed, and Head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority Gen. Ahmed El-Azazy.
Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that President Sisi was briefed during the meeting on the progress of projects being implemented under the first phase of the presidential initiative "Decent Life" for developing the Egyptian countryside—particularly the construction of water and sewage stations and networks in targeted villages. The President stressed the importance of completing these projects on schedule without delays.
President Sisi also followed up on the implementation status of the strategic plan for seawater desalination. The Minister of Housing reviewed the state's efforts in this area since 2014, noting the establishment of desalination plants in the governorates of Marsa Matrouh, Beheira, South Sinai, Red Sea, Port Said, and Alexandria, as well as five related five-year plans extending to 2050. The President reviewed proposals for the operational mechanisms of desalination plants and the layout of water networks. He emphasized the need to enhance the efficiency of existing plants to maximize benefits and to ensure that ongoing projects are completed on time. He also called for a comprehensive vision for future needs and stressed the importance of localizing the industry related to desalination plant equipment.
Furthermore, President Sisi reviewed the status of several developmental projects and urban development plans in the Northwestern Coast, aimed at increasing investment value and maximizing economic returns.
This includes the project to develop and upgrade the Marina Tourist Center, the "Marina 8" project, the restoration of the Marina archaeological site, and the strategic plan for the West Ras El-Hekma region and New Alamein City.
The President instructed that all constructions, facilities, and roads associated with these projects be completed within the set timeframe.
The President also reviewed the status of projects being carried out by the Ministry of Housing. This included the offering of the tenth phase of the 'Beit El-Watan' initiative for Egyptians living abroad, and steps taken by the government to increase the number of available land plots to meet citizens' needs. He also followed up on the latest developments in the 'Your Home in Egypt' initiative, as well as the mechanisms for operating and managing public parks in Cairo. The discussion also touched on leveraging international experiences in managing and developing green spaces and enhancing investment activities. (MENA)
M O H/R G E
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
2 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt, Germany Discuss Gaza Ceasefire, Bilateral Cooperation
H-Tayea President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held a phone call on Thursday with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to congratulate him on his electoral victory. President El-Sisi expressed his best wishes for the new German government and praised the trust placed in Chancellor Merz by the German people. He emphasized the critical importance of the current moment in light of rapidly evolving regional and international dynamics and highlighted the urgent need to uphold the principles of international law and long-standing global norms—an area in which Germany has extensive experience. According to Presidential Spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, President El-Sisi underlined Egypt's desire to strengthen its close partnership with Germany, particularly in economic, trade, and investment sectors, as well as in development cooperation that benefits both nations. Chancellor Merz thanked President El-Sisi for the congratulatory gesture and affirmed Germany's commitment to its strong ties with Egypt. Both leaders agreed on the need to deepen bilateral relations across all fields and to continue coordination on regional stability and development. The call also addressed ongoing regional and international issues. President El-Sisi outlined Egypt's efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and stressed the need for the international community to push for an immediate end to military operations in the Strip. He reiterated Egypt's total rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians and emphasized the importance of expanding international recognition of the State of Palestine in line with the two-state solution. The leaders also discussed developments in Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, and Somalia. Chancellor Merz expressed Germany's interest in maintaining close coordination with Egypt to restore stability and peace across the Middle East. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
Mada
3 hours ago
- Mada
Govt grants renewables companies first licenses to sell directly to private sector, ‘speeding up' electricity liberalization
Egypt's government has granted four renewable energy companies permission to contract directly with private industrial consumers in what an informed source described as 'a very big step' toward liberalizing the country's electricity sector. The deal represents a 'slow transition' toward a free energy market, and will likely encourage more actors to enter the sector, said another source, a senior executive at one of the energy companies included in the government's decision. Regulatory groundwork for the development has been in place since 2015 alongside plans, recommended by international lenders, to cut subsidies on electricity rates for individual and corporate consumers. But the government has been slow to implement these policies in an already turbulent economic environment. Both the government and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which is providing technical support for the policy, announced the deals in recent weeks. The Cabinet said it had awarded contracts for the supply of solar and wind power to heavy, exporting industries to Enara and Taqa Arabia, both Egyptian-owned, AMEA, a Dubai-based company, and Neptune Energy. The providers will be allowed to use state-owned transmission infrastructure via the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) to wheel the power to private-sector consumers: Helwan Fertilizers, Alamein Silicon Products Complex, Ezz Steel, AP Moller (Suez Canal Container Terminal), BEFAR Group and Suez Steel. The informed source said that the companies had applied for an open bid by EgyptERA and were likely chosen on the basis of their experience and financial position. The total investments will be worth around US$388 million, the Cabinet said at the end of May, producing around 400 MW. In exchange for the wheeling services, the private companies will pay EETC the equivalent of around LE0.17 per kWh if they transmit the energy using a High Voltage line, and LE0.0725 if they use the Extra High Voltage line, according to the national electricity regulator, EgyptERA. 'There is talk that the wheeling fee could be updated by EgyptERA because there was a request from EETC to increase it a bit,' according to the informed source. The rate will not bring major revenues to the EETC in fees The real difference will be felt in the electricity sector's business environment, according to the two industry insiders who spoke to Mada Masr. Private generation companies were previously able to contract directly with consumers outside of the government-regulated sector. This meant companies were limited to using client premises which are often too small for the necessary infrastructure, capping the potential generation capacity especially for renewable energy, the executive source said. Now, the source continued, private companies will get to install power stations 'wherever' land is available, and get grid access to transmit power to clients 'wherever they may be.' The informed source noted that land allocations are yet to happen, however, adding that implementation will still take some time for the four companies. They described the projects approved as a pilot round, intended 'to set down all these rules, so that future projects are able to follow it as a blueprint.' But the source noted that there is a direction in government to 'speed up' planned liberalization of the electricity sector in general. They pointed to the recent approval granted in April for the EETC to be separated from the ministry-owned Egyptian Electricity Holding Company, a measure laid out in a 2015 law to turn the EETC into a sector regulator providing wheeling services to private power generation firms, rather than supplying electricity to consumers itself. The EETC's separation is due to be complete in July, according to state media services. In the government's announcement, the Cabinet said the policy was intended to stimulate 'private investment and increase the participation of private companies in energy projects' in order to 'to enhance competitiveness' in the sector. They also framed the step as part of efforts toward green transition and sustainable development. Egypt currently relies on natural gas, a heavier pollutant than coal, for 79 percent of its power needs. As Egypt's oil and gas production declined in recent years, the government has been increasingly relying on imported fuel to meet rising domestic consumption.
See - Sada Elbalad
7 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
China Opens Cultural Dialogue with Arab World at Cairo Civilizations Forum
H-Tayea The Nishan Forum on Classical Civilizations Between China and the Arab World was officially launched in Cairo, with prominent participation from scholars and intellectuals representing both regions. The announcement was made by Guo Qingyan, Deputy Director of the Nishan Center for Confucian Studies, during the opening of this high-level cultural forum held as a parallel session to the Nishan World Forum on Civilizations. This year's edition is hosted in the Egyptian capital under the theme of promoting dialogue between Chinese and Arab classical civilizations. In her address, Guo expressed gratitude to the Egyptian hosts and participants, praising Cairo as a city of profound historical and cultural legacy. She emphasized that selecting Egypt as the host reflects China's deep respect for Arab civilization and its commitment to building enduring bridges of intellectual and cultural understanding with the Arab world. Guo described the forum as a global platform for civilizational dialogue initiated by China out of a strong belief in the power of mutual understanding. She recalled the inaugural Nishan Forum held in September in Shandong Province, the birthplace of Confucius, which welcomed over 300 scholars from 51 countries. The first parallel forum was held in South Korea in May, and the second now takes place in Egypt—"the heart of the Arab world"—highlighting the deep historical ties between the two civilizations. She noted that Chinese-Arab cultural exchange spans over a thousand years, rooted in active knowledge-sharing, trade, and scientific collaboration along the Silk Road. This included contributions in medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and travel, as documented by historic figures such as Ibn Battuta. Guo stressed that both civilizations have significantly advanced humanity by upholding shared values such as ethics, knowledge, tolerance, and the dignity of the individual. Guo stated that one of the forum's primary goals is to counter the notion that civilizations must clash. Instead, she emphasized that dialogue and coexistence lead to integration and harmony, and that mutual respect is essential for building a peaceful and prosperous global future. She called for expanded institutional partnerships, including reciprocal translations of classical texts, joint research, and academic exchanges between Chinese and Arab institutions. These efforts, she said, would deepen mutual understanding and foster a new era of cross-cultural cooperation. She noted that the forum is supported by a broad alliance of Chinese and Arab institutions, including the Nishan Center for Confucian Studies, the Chinese Institute for Classical Civilization, Cairo University, the Supreme Council of Culture, and the Chinese Embassy in Egypt—enhancing its cultural and diplomatic impact. In his remarks, Professor Feng Jikang, President of Shandong Normal University, introduced the Confucian concept of 'shared beauty' as a vision for global harmony. He explored the ancient idea of Datong—"Great Unity"—as described by Confucius in the Book of Rites, where a just society is governed by virtue, honesty, and peaceful coexistence. Feng quoted Confucius's vision of a world without division or fear, where capable and ethical leaders are chosen, and neighbors live in trust and mutual respect. He noted that this concept has shaped Chinese thought for over two millennia and remains relevant today, forming part of China's modern vision for a shared future for humanity. He cited Chinese sociologist Fei Xiaotong's phrase: 'Each has its beauty, and by appreciating each other's beauty, we achieve harmony.' Feng stressed that such values are not abstract ideals but practical principles rooted in ancient wisdom, offering real solutions to today's divided world. He recalled President Xi Jinping's speech at the United Nations in 2015, where peace, justice, equality, democracy, and freedom were identified as shared human values. Feng concluded by urging the global community to adopt the philosophy of shared beauty, overcome isolationism, and work collectively to build a fairer, more ethical world grounded in respect and cooperation. The opening session was attended by leading academics, cultural figures, and Chinese experts in Arab studies, enriching the forum with intellectual diversity and depth. The event marked a significant step in promoting cultural diplomacy and reaffirming the historical friendship between the Chinese and Arab peoples. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
