Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi directed the government to accelerate the completion of the infrastructure of 1.5 million-feddan reclamation project.
This came during a Sunday meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Mohmed Abdel Aati and Agriculture and Land Reclamation Minister Sayed Al-Quseir.
Al-Sisi was briefed on the latest progress of the reclamation projects undertaken by the New Egyptian Countryside Development (NECD), Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.
The president followed up on the construction works of the project’s infrastructure, including electricity and water plants across Minya, Toshka area, Al Maghrah and Al Farafra oases in the Western Desert, and El Tor in South Sinai.
Accordingly, he directed the concerned bodies to finalize all infrastructure works, including roads, agricultural draining systems and service areas.
Al-Sisi also called for facilitating access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Moreover, the president directed the concerned bodies to prepare a comprehensive marketing study for the project in a bid to build new urban communities, increase the area of cultivated land nationwide, and to create job opportunities.
The 1.5m feddans is a megaproject proposed by Al-Sisi. This project came alongside other projects, such as the New Suez Canal and developing its zone; developing the golden triangle; and establishing the New Administrative Capital.
In a separate meeting, the president was briefed on the national project for the integrated development of the desert environment in the west northern coast area in Matrouh governorate.
This project is carried out in collaboration with The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with EGP 1.3bn in financing.
Al-Sisi directed the officials to expand the scope of the project, given its social and developmental impact on the inhabitants of Egypt’s Western Desert, primarily Matrouh governorate.
Furthermore, the president directed the provision of all necessary financials for the project’s implementation plans.
