Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi called for moving ahead with the implementation of the state strategy for the development of the Suez Canal, its shipping route and all its facilities and infrastructure, in order to enable it to maintain its outstanding performance, which is recognised globally for its efficiency, in light of its unique position at the level of navigation and global trade.
The President’s remarks came during his meeting on Tuesday with Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority Osama Rabie as well as top government officials, Presidency Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy said.
During the meeting, the President reviewed a report of the shipping traffic in the Suez Canal during the first quarter of this year, which showed an increase in the number of ships that passed through the canal, by about 20%, compared to the same period last year.
The report also showed a 35% increase in revenues to record about $2.3 billion compared to last year, with the canal also posting the highest daily transit rate in its history, on March 13, with 107 ships, with a tonnage of 6.3 million tons.
Rabie presented the axes and projects for the development of the shipping route of the Suez Canal, in addition to the authority’s efforts to upgrade its fleet, including tugs and dredgers, in light of its pivotal role in securing the shipping route and assisting ships transiting the canal.
The meeting also featured a presentation of the ongoing efforts to localise the manufacture of modern fishing ships and boats in Egypt, with the aim of increasing fish production from the Egyptian coasts and lakes.
In this context, the President called for overcoming all obstacles and challenges facing the development of this important sector from various aspects, in order to secure optimal investment of the natural resources that Egypt enjoys, in light of its unique geographical location on the Mediterranean and the Red Seas.
