Latest news with #ECEC
Zawya
30-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt signs $658mln construction deal for phosphoric acid project
Egypt has signed final contracts that will pave way the commencement of construction works on the $658 million Phosphoric Acid Complex Project in the Western Desert. This marks a major step in Egypt's push to shift from raw mineral exports to high-value industrial processing, the Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ministry said. The project is located at Abu Tartur Plateau in the New Valley Governorate and will use domestically sourced phosphate ore to produce 250,000 tonnes per year of high-grade phosphoric acid in its first phase. 'This is a historic move that will enable us to shift from exporting raw materials to launching an integrated industrial value chain,' Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawy said 'It symbolises the third pillar of our strategy which outlines maximising returns from mineral wealth,' he added. The deal was signed with a Chinese consortium that comprises of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) and East China Engineering Science and Technology Co. (ECEC). According to Valley Governor Mohammed El-Zamlout, the project is a 'turning point' for the New Valley which is Egypt's largest governorate by area but has been overlooked in terms of industrial development. 'This project will be a key aspect in transforming the region into a strategic hub for mining-based industries,' he said. (Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Sky News AU
25-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Australia scores eighth for global life-work balance in 2025 – but boasts the world's highest minimum wage
Australia has retained its position inside the world's top ten countries for life-work balance, securing eighth place in the 2025 Global Life-Work Balance Index – while also claiming the title of the world's highest minimum wage. The index, compiled by international employment platform Remote, assessed the top 60 GDP nations using a range of indicators including working hours, statutory leave, healthcare, public safety, and inclusivity to determine which nations best prioritise wellbeing alongside productivity. Scoring 72.1 out of 100, Australia once again outperformed a host of wealthy European nations, as well as the United States, which slumped to 59th place. It marks the second consecutive year Australia has held the eighth spot. While New Zealand topped the global rankings for the third year running with an impressive score of 86.87, Australia led the world in one critical category - the minimum wage - set at US$18.12 per hour, or roughly AU$24.10. By comparison, New Zealand sits at US$16.47, and the United Kingdom at US$15.67. Australian workers also benefit from one of the world's shortest average working weeks, clocking in at just 32.29 hours, far below the global average of 39.19. Combined with generous annual leave and maternity entitlements, these conditions help explain why Australia continues to rank strongly, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region where it placed second, behind only New Zealand. A slight dip in the country's happiness score - likely linked to ongoing cost of living pressures - was cited as a factor in its drop, though experts say core entitlements remain among the most competitive globally. European countries continue to dominate the top of the rankings, with Ireland, Belgium, Germany, and Norway all inside the top five. In contrast, the United States continues its slide, recording one of the lowest scores in the world at just 31.17. Australia's performance is also drawing attention within the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, where working conditions and career sustainability remain pressing issues. Advocates argue that Australia's global standing and wage leadership should provide momentum for improving pay and wellbeing in high-pressure sectors like early learning. All the index data was collected and analysed in April 2025.
NDTV
29-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
MK Stalin To Inaugurate Permanent Housing For Displaced Irular Families
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will virtually inaugurate newly-built houses for 41 displaced Irular families at Melpakkam village near Arakkonam in Ranipet district on Thursday. The initiative provides permanent rehabilitation to the tribal families who lost their land to a road widening project. In 2023, the State Highways Department acquired patta lands earlier allotted to these families by the district administration for expanding the Kancheepuram-Arakkonam-Tiruttani Road (SH-58). As compensation, the department committed to providing new land and constructing houses at a total cost of Rs 6.32 crore. Each house, built at a cost of Rs 10.70 lakh, spans 355 square feet and includes a living room, bedroom, kitchen and attached toilet. The new residential enclave also features a community hall with a capacity of 100 people, an Anganwadi centre, a small temple, and a protective compound wall. To ensure essential amenities, a 30,000-litre overhead tank has been installed for drinking water supply. Internal roads have been paved with bitumen to facilitate smooth vehicular movement, especially during medical emergencies. Minister for Handlooms and Textiles R. Gandhi, who inspected the site along with District Collector J.U. Chandrakala, interacted with the families and urged them to prioritise education by enrolling their children in nearby schools. He also instructed officials to plant fruit-bearing saplings across the housing area to provide shade and supplementary income in the future. The relocation and housing effort is closely linked to a major infrastructure project - the widening of SH-58 - as part of the Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor, under the Centre's East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC). The ECEC aims to connect key coastal cities including Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, and Kanyakumari to promote industrial growth. Funded by the Asian Development Bank, the highway upgrade covers a 41.77 km stretch between Kancheepuram and Tiruttani. The road has been expanded into a 10-metre-wide two-lane corridor with stormwater drains, footpaths, 18 small bridges, and 124 culverts. The project cost is estimated at Rs 359.06 crore and has been under development since mid-2021. The initiative represents a balanced approach to infrastructure development and social responsibility, ensuring affected communities are not left behind in the path of progress.
Zawya
25-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
China's ECEC to build $2bln phosphate fertiliser project in Iraq
Chinese Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company East China Engineering Science and Technology Company (ECEC) will build a $2 billion phosphate fertiliser complex in the western desert region of Al-Qaim, Anbar province, according to local media reports. Iraq's State Company for Phosphates and Asas Engineering Company will be working with ECEC on the facility, which is expected to produce 1 million tonnes of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and 500,000 tonnes of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) annually. A consortium of CNCEC and ECEC is building 1,800 metric tonnes per day sulphuric acid project and triple superphosphate (TSP) fertiliser plant in M'dhilla for Groupe Chimique Tunisien (GCT). Iraq's phosphate reserves have been estimated at 10 billion tonnes. (Writing by Majda Muhsen; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
