Latest news with #AbdelFattahAl-Sisi
Daily News Egypt
11 hours ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Al-Sisi reviews unified investment strategy to boost FDI, industrial growth
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi convened a high-level meeting on Sunday to review progress on Egypt's unified national investment strategy, which aims to enhance the country's economic competitiveness and attract increased foreign direct investment (FDI). According to a presidential statement, the meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Al-Wazir, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Rania Al-Mashat, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk, and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib. The president was briefed on ongoing measures to streamline investment procedures, including the development of a one-stop digital platform for licensing, the reduction of non-tax burdens on investors, and broader structural reforms. The strategy emphasizes transparent and stable policy frameworks, investor-friendly fiscal incentives, open trade policies, and reliable energy access for industrial operations. President Al-Sisi emphasized the need to sustain momentum in enhancing the investment climate and reaffirmed Egypt's ambition to become a regional hub for FDI in line with national development goals. The meeting also included an update on the activities of The Sovereign Fund of Egypt, particularly efforts to unlock value from state-owned assets and strengthen public-private partnerships. The president instructed officials to pursue innovative strategies for maximizing returns on national assets. Officials reviewed trends in Egypt's non-oil exports from 2003 to 2024 and discussed strategies to diversify export markets and improve the global competitiveness of Egyptian products. Infrastructure projects supporting export growth were also examined. Further discussions addressed Egypt's strategic goal of becoming a global logistics and transit trade hub. Updates were provided on a planned dry bulk terminal at Abu Qir Port and a proposed logistics station for iron and billet handling in the Adabiya area—initiatives aimed at supporting the growth of Egypt's iron and steel sector. The meeting also reviewed progress in reforming and enhancing the performance of key economic authorities, as well as the broader national structural reform agenda. Officials briefed the president on ongoing cooperation with the European Union under the macro-financial assistance agreement, designed to support Egypt's public finances. Finally, the president reviewed a draft of the country's forthcoming 'National Economic Development Narrative'—a strategic framework centered on enabling private sector-led growth, strengthening industry and exports, and implementing reforms to stabilize Egypt's macroeconomic and fiscal outlook. Al-Sisi called for the swift finalization of the strategy, highlighting its importance in charting Egypt's future development path and attracting global investment.
Daily News Egypt
14 hours ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt launches trial operation of Cairo Ring Road BRT first phase
Egypt's Ministry of Transport announced the start of trial operations for the first phase of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project on Cairo's Ring Road on Sunday, 1 June 2025. This initial phase, now open to passengers, extends 35 kilometres from the intersection of the Ring Road with the Alexandria Agricultural Road to the Police Academy station. The ministry stated this initiative aligns with directives from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to expand sustainable, environmentally friendly mass transit systems and to operate this first phase to serve users of the Ring Road. The BRT is described as an environmentally friendly mass transit system designed to offer high service levels. All buses deployed are locally manufactured, air-conditioned electric vehicles, a move consistent with presidential directives to localise various industries in Egypt, including bus manufacturing. The frequency of buses is planned at every three minutes, equivalent to 20 buses per hour, and is set to increase to every one and a half minutes during peak times. This project is envisioned as a key artery connecting eastern and western Cairo, with a link to the New Administrative Capital, offering a fast, modern, clean, and safe transport option. It integrates with other transport modes, interchanging with Metro Line 1 at El Zahraa and El Marg stations, Metro Line 3 at Adly Mansour and Imbaba stations, and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) at Adly Mansour station. The first phase includes 14 stations: Adly Mansour (a non-standard station); two surface stations with pedestrian bridge access (Bahtim and Police Academy); and eleven surface stations with pedestrian tunnel access. These tunnel-access stations are Alexandria Agricultural Road, Colonel Ahmed Abdel Rahim, Shubra Banha, Mostorod, El Khasous, El Marg, El Qalag, Zakat Foundation, Field Marshal Ibrahim Orabi, El Salam, and Suez Road. The ministry provided details on the areas served by each station: Alexandria Agricultural Road station: Accessed via a pedestrian tunnel, serving the Alexandria Agricultural Road and commuters from Banha, Toukh, Qalyub, and their surrounding areas, as well as those from Shubra El Kheima using the Ring Road. Colonel Ahmed Abdel Rahim station (Sharqawiya area): A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving the Sharqawiya area and nearby villages such as Mit Halfa and Mit Nama. Shubra Banha station: A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving those heading to the Shubra Banha Freeway and the Al-Assar Axis. Bahtim station: A surface station with pedestrian bridge access, serving the Bahtim area, West Shubra El Kheima, and Eskoo Club Street with its surrounding villages. Mostorod station: A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving the Mostorod area, Ismailia Canal, Ismailia Agricultural Road, Belbeis Road, and commuters heading to Amiriya and Matareya. El Khasous station: A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving the El Khasous area and its affiliated hamlets. El Marg station: A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving the New El Marg area, the Marg-Khanka axis, and interchanging with Metro Line 1 via El Marg station. El Qalag station: A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving the El Qalag area, Mohamed Naguib Road, and their surroundings. Zakat Foundation station: A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving the Zakat Foundation area and commuters from Ain Shams and surr
Daily News Egypt
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Standing Between Conflict and Hope: Time to Equip UN Peacekeepers for Tomorrow's Challenges
As the United Nations (UN) marks its 80th anniversary, the legacy of UN peacekeeping stands as one of the clearest and most enduring expressions of multilateral cooperation. For nearly eight decades, the service and sacrifice of Blue Helmets have saved and changed lives—helping countries navigate the difficult path from war to peace. From Cyprus to Lebanon, and from the Central African Republic to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, more than 76,000 civilian, military, and police personnel currently serve in 11 missions around the world. These men and women offer a lifeline to millions living in some of the world's most fragile political and security environments. In light of these growing pressures, it is essential to rethink the role of peacekeeping within the broader international peace and security architecture. As President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has rightly asserted 'peacekeeping—while a vital tool of the international community—should not be viewed as the sole means of maintaining peace'. H.E further emphasized that 'it cannot substitute preventive diplomacy, mediation, peacebuilding, or the political, economic, and social measures necessary to address root causes and mend societal fractures', underscoring that 'peacekeeping must not become the default or immediate response to every crisis'. This year's International Day of UN Peacekeepers is observed under the theme 'The Future of Peacekeeping'—a theme that could not be more timely or relevant. Peacekeeping today faces mounting and unprecedented challenges. Conflicts are growing longer, deadlier, and more complex. They increasingly spill across borders and are exacerbated by terrorism, organized crime, cyber warfare, disinformation, and the weaponization of technology. Climate change, meanwhile, deepens instability in already-vulnerable regions. And divergent views within the UN Security Council have made consensus more elusive — slowing the pace of action, precisely when urgency is most needed. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres bluntly put it: 'Trust is in short supply among—and within—countries and regions… This is a grim diagnosis, but we must face facts.' Among the most urgent issues is the growing and persistent mismatch between what peacekeeping missions are asked to achieve and the resources that are not available to do so. This undermines effectiveness and places peacekeepers in situations 'where there is little or no peace to keep'. The Pact for the Future, adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future, offers a moment of reckoning—and opportunity. It affirms that peace operations can only succeed when backed by political will and accompanied by inclusive strategies that address the root causes of conflict. It rightly emphasizes the need for peacekeeping missions to be supported by predictable, adequate, and sustained financing. The Pact also mandates a comprehensive review of UN peace operations—a chance to rethink and reform the peacekeeping model. Today's high-risk environments demand that missions be equipped with the right tools, partnerships, and strategies to protect civilians and support peacebuilding effectively. Egypt, through its 65 years of active participation in United Nations peacekeeping has long demonstrated a strong, sustained and unwavering commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. Since it first deployed troops to the UN Operation in the Congo in 1960, Egypt has contributed over 30,000 of its sons and daughters to 37 missions across 24 countries and has consistently remained one of the top contributors of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping. Egypt currently has 1205 peacekeepers, including women, serving across five missions in Africa Egypt's longstanding record of service and sacrifice in peacekeeping is globally recognized. This is reflected in its re-election as Rapporteur of the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, its recent election to the UN Peacebuilding Commission, and its appointment as co-facilitator for the upcoming 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review in both the General Assembly and the Security Council. Egypt's leadership in peacekeeping is not limited to troop contributions. It plays an active role in shaping strategic thinking around reform. Through the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA)—an African Union Center of Excellence. Egypt has championed context-sensitive, innovative, and inclusive peace operations. The CCCPA emphasizes prevention, civilian protection, and regional partnerships while strengthening the participation of women in peacekeeping, in line with the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Through the CCCPA annual Aswan Forum, Egypt further promotes African-led solutions and stronger peacekeeping–peacebuilding synergies. This work, carried out in close cooperation with the UN in Egypt, is a prime example of effective South-South cooperation and the value of locally driven solutions. Egypt also actively contributes to training African and international uniformed peacekeepers through specialized facilities operated by the Ministry of Interior via the Egyptian Center for Peacekeeping Operations, and by the Ministry of Defense through its Liaison Agency with International Organizations (LAWIO). Egypt is also a staunch supporter of the UN Secretary-General's Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative. In 2018, Egypt convened a landmark high-level international conference aimed at improving peacekeeping effectiveness. The event led to the 'Cairo Roadmap for Peacekeeping Operations,' a concrete framework of shared commitments that was later endorsed by the African Union in 2020. This year, as we remember the 4,430 peacekeepers who have given their lives in the pursuit of peace, we must go beyond commemoration by upholding the principles for which they paid the ultimate sacrifice. Over 60 Egyptian peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives while serving as part of UN operations across the globe. Their sacrifice is a sobering reminder of the growing risks peacekeepers face, and our collective duty to ensure they are provided with the necessary means to fulfill their mandates. At the recently concluded 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin this May, Egypt reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing UN peacekeeping through planned deployments, the preparation of well-trained officers, and expanded training efforts. It pledged to provide specialized capabilities, deploy qualified personnel to UN missions, and enhance training in coordination with international partners. Egypt also highlighted the importance of integrating technology, drawing on lessons from regional transitions, and promoting gender parity—underscoring its intention to surpass the UN's targets for women's participation in uniformed roles. As the United Nations continues to face significant challenges and in the context of a region affected by multiple conflicts, Egypt has stood firm as a staunch and reliable partner to global peace and security. Furthermore, Egypt has expressed its readiness to provide all necessary support for the UN80 initiative this year in order to help make it a success to achieve effectiveness and rationalization to help meet the acute financial challenges faced by the United Nations and peacekeeping. In that regard, Egypt's readiness and preparedness to host United Nations' agencies, programs and offices that might be up for relocation as per the UN80 initiative is to be highly commended. Egypt's strategic location—at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East—positions it as a natural hub for connectivity and cooperation. Its central time zone and proximity to key regions make it an ideal and cost-effective location, reducing travel time and facilitating seamless coordination. With direct access to both the Red Sea and the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal – a vital artery of global trade – Egypt offers unmatched maritime connectivity. It's highly connected international airports and geographical proximity to conflict zones further enhances its relevance as a center for diplomacy, crisis response and peacekeeping efforts. Egypt's vast experience with peacekeeping and related provision of humanitarian assistance are certainly also worth highlighting as advantageous. As host to multiple international and regional organizations and offices including the seat of the League of Arab States and with over 140 represented embassies in Cairo, Egypt remains a geo-political hub with an already strong United Nations' presence, a modern infrastructure, and well-recognized levels of safety. As the Secretary-General has said: 'Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations—and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today's realities and tomorrow's challenges.' Peacekeeping missions are under strain. However, with renewed multilateral resolve, adequate resourcing, and bold reforms, we can empower UN peacekeepers to remain a vital force for peace, stability, and hope in a troubled world, and Egypt, in cooperation with the United Nations remains at the forefront of nations providing such support. Joint Op-ed by Ambassador Khaled El Bakly, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs for Multilateral & International Security Affairs Elena Panova, UN Egypt Resident Coordinator
Daily News Egypt
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Al-Sisi reviews progress on national digital skills initiative ahead of 2025 launch
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi convened a meeting on Wednesday with Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, and Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher, Director of the Egyptian Military Academy, to review the latest developments in the implementation of the 'Digilians' initiative, Egypt's flagship national programme to build digital capabilities among youth. Presidential spokesperson Mohamed El-Shenawy stated that the president was briefed on final preparations for the programme's official launch in September 2025. These include the completion of the necessary technological and engineering infrastructure, as well as the development of an online registration platform. Minister Talaat outlined the initiative's inclusive framework, which will be open to young Egyptians—both men and women—from all academic disciplines, professional backgrounds, and governorates. Admission will follow a transparent, merit-based selection process. The Digilians programme will offer fully funded educational tracks, including intensive diplomas, specialized diplomas, professional master's degrees, and academic master's degrees. Participants will also benefit from free accommodation and training throughout the programme. The curriculum is designed to integrate technical training with personal development, including language and leadership skills, and freelancing competencies. A key component of the initiative is fostering connections between participants and major tech companies operating in Egypt for hands-on training and mentorship. Additionally, the programme encourages participants to develop and pitch their own tech-based business projects, with support provided to help them enter the global freelancing market and contribute to Egypt's ongoing digital transformation efforts. President Al-Sisi stressed the importance of meeting the project timeline and called for expanding the programme to reach a larger number of participants. He emphasized the strategic significance of creating a quantitative and qualitative leap in Egypt's digital workforce to align with the country's long-term development goals. He also directed that the initiative be implemented in close collaboration with specialized science and technology institutions—both within Egypt and internationally—to ensure access to cutting-edge knowledge and global best practices. President Al-Sisi concluded the meeting by reaffirming Egypt's commitment to its national digital transformation agenda and the continued development of its ICT infrastructure as a foundation for economic growth and innovation.
Daily News Egypt
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Israel's Gaza offensive enters Day 71 as death toll tops 54,000 amid mounting global pressure
As Israeli offensive in Gaza entered its 71st day since resuming in March, the humanitarian toll continues to escalate. According to Gaza's health authorities, the total number of Palestinians killed since October 2023 has risen to 54,056, with 129,123 reported injuries. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that between 15-25 May, an estimated 180,000 people were forcibly displaced amid the intensifying Israeli offensive, adding to the staggering total of internal displacements in the besieged enclave. International concern is growing, particularly in Europe, where several governments have stepped up pressure on Israel to cease hostilities and allow the entry of life-saving humanitarian aid into Gaza, which remains under a complete Israeli blockade. On the ground, Israeli media reported that two Israeli soldiers were critically injured during armed clashes in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza. The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for targeting an Israeli foot patrol in the Al-Atatra area with an anti-personnel shell, stating that multiple soldiers were killed or wounded. Diplomatic efforts are intensifying. An Egyptian official told Al-Qahera News that Cairo is engaged in 'intensive contacts' with relevant parties to secure a ceasefire as soon as possible. Coordination continues with Qatar and the United States on proposals for a truce and potential prisoner exchanges. On Tuesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi held a phone call with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. In a statement from the Egyptian presidency, both leaders condemned Israel's continued assault and warned against any attempts to forcibly displace Gaza's population. They jointly called for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and stronger support for a two-state solution, including broader international recognition of a Palestinian state. The leaders also backed the Arab-Islamic plan for Gaza's reconstruction, emphasizing that it must occur without displacing the local population. The conversation also touched on broader regional concerns in Syria, Lebanon, and Libya, with both leaders underscoring their commitment to the sovereignty, unity, and stability of these nations. In Finland, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed alarm over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Speaking alongside Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Turku, Merz said he was 'horrified' by the suffering of civilians and called for immediate humanitarian relief. While reiterating Germany's unwavering support for Israel's right to exist, Merz suggested that the scale of recent Israeli operations may no longer align with the stated objectives of targeting militant groups or rescuing hostages. 'In recent days, what we've witnessed is not entirely justifiable in the context of Israel's self-defense,' he said. 'Civilians are suffering enormously. I believe any German government must speak to this with restraint—but also with honesty. What is happening is no longer comprehensible.' Merz also revealed that discussions are underway within the German government regarding future arms shipments to Israel, though no decision has been finalized. Meanwhile, Hamas issued a statement urging global intervention to halt what it described as a campaign of 'genocide and starvation'. The group called for 'global days of rage' from 30 May to 1 June, encouraging worldwide demonstrations in solidarity with Gaza and against the Israeli occupation. Hamas also praised recent global expressions of support for Palestinians and called for intensified pressure on Israel through all available diplomatic and civil society channels.
