UPDATE 4- SCA chief: Sinai development top priority, gains unprecedented support

Addressing an event for the inauguration of a number of national projects for development in Sinai in the presence of Sisi, Rabie said this event marks a new phase in the history of Egypt, adding that the president has always been seeking to achieve development in Egypt.

He said the inauguration of Martyr Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel 2 in Suez is a gift from the president to Sinai residents on the occasion of the anniversary of October war victory, a symbol of the strong Egyptian will that has not been conquered in the face of various tough conditions and challenges.

He said the inauguration of the tunnel enhanced the linking of Sinai with other parts of the country.

SCA chief Osama Rabie said Martyr Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel 2 is linking Sinai Peninsula with other parts of the country through 20 crossing points divided to three main sectors; the first one in Port Said governorate (includes six crossing points), the middle sector in Ismailia governorate (which includes 10 crossing points as well as the southern sector in Suez governorate.

Rabie noted that the statistics of vehicles passing through a period from January till August indicated that more than five million vehicles have been using the tunnels.

Such system of tunnels will have an influential role in increasing the rates of exports via harbors of the Suez Canal Economic Zone, he said, adding that SCA is managing the maintenance operations of the tunnels round the clock with the use of various inspection means in co-operation with the Armed Forces and police personnel.

SCA chief said “Today’s inauguration is a big achievement that has been finalised in a record time with Egyptian hands and expertise”.

He noted that this work in a proof on the depth of the political leadership’s vision to introduce all-out development to Sinai.

Rabie said all the works of such achievement were accomplished in just one year to be one of the prominent features of a new phase in Egypt under the leadership of President Sisi.

All the achievements carried out in the economic and development sectors contributed to placing Egypt on advanced positions among the countries achieving high growth rates in the various sectors, Rabie added.

He made it clear that The Suez Canal Authority achieved record rate in the volume of ships transiting the Suez Canal, a matter which helps achieve revenues that boost the Egyptian economy.

He asserted that the SCA is keen on presenting all marketing incentives to lure more navigation lines and giant ships to the waterway.

Addressing an event for the inauguration of national projects in Sinai, Rabie said the number of vessels that transited the waterway during the period from January to August this year reached 13,317 compared with 12,482 vessels in 2020, with an increase of 6.7 per cent.

The total revenues of the waterway hit dlrs 4 billion in the mentioned period, he said.

Rabie asserted that President Sisi’s continuous support for the Suez Canal Authority has been the biggest motive for overcoming various challenges that could have negatively affected the progress that has been achieved as well as the unprecedented navigation rates.

He said the Suez Canal has faced many tough challenges over the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic that greatly influenced the global navigation movement.