Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has asserted, on Tuesday, that work is underway to develop the Suez Canal, in line with the progress of the global trade movement.
The President’s remarks came during his inspection tour of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), where he extended his greetings and appreciation to the authority’s employees and to the Egyptian people.
He said that the private sector is welcome to participate in the development projects set up by the state, as it is an integral part of the homeland. He also directed for the speedy completion of the ongoing development projects in the Suez Canal.
Speaking on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Al-Sisi asserted that Egyptian concerns on the issue is legitimate, but that Egyptians have to trust that the leadership will not abandon the country’s water rights.
Al-Sisi affirmed that the negotiation process requires patience, adding that Egyptians should not rush the results, but instead trust their country’s leadership.
The President referred to the diplomatic moves that have taken place over the past days regarding the GERD issue, and expressed his hope for a solution to the problem.
Meanwhile, Al-Sisi witnessed the inauguration of the first phase of the Port Said water station, as well as the inauguration of pension housing units for SCA employees. He also witnessed the opening of the new headquarters for the Tunnels and Bridges Department in New Ismailia.
SCA Chairperson Osama Rabie said that the authority has an integrated programme in place to modernise the maritime fleet. He noted that the SCA’s fleet had been modernised, based on the instructions of President Al-Sisi, in order to keep pace with Egypt’s digital transformation process.
Rabie also indicated that there is a strategic vision to reconfigure Egypt’s fishing fleet. He pointed out that a comprehensive vision for the development of the Suez Canal was put in place, in light of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He also highlighted that the authority has implemented a number of infrastructure projects.
