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Al-Ahram Weekly
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
El-Sisi urges swift completion of Decent Life 1st phase projects - Urban & Transport
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi urged the swift completion of the first phase of the Decent Life Initiative and the enhancement of Egypt's seawater desalination plants to maximize benefits while developing a comprehensive vision for the country's future needs. The president's directives came during a meeting on Wednesday with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Sherif El-Sherbiny, and Major General Ahmed El-Azzazi, head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority. According to Presidential Spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, the president was briefed on the progress of projects under the first phase of the Decent Life Initiative for the development of the Egyptian countryside, particularly those concerning the construction of water and sewage treatment facilities and networks in targeted villages. During the meeting, El-Sisi also emphasized the importance of completing these projects within the specified timelines. Introduced by El-Sisi in January 2019, the Decent Life Initiative aims to improve the quality of life of Egypt's most vulnerable citizens by enhancing basic daily services in rural areas. The initiative's first stage serves 28 million citizens in 1,477 villages. According to the plan, its second stage should cover 1,670 villages and provide services for some 20 million citizens. In March, PM Madbouly said the cabinet would hold biweekly meetings to monitor the initiative's progress on completing the first phase and prepare for launching the second in fiscal year (FY) 2025/2026. Meanwhile, El-Shennawy said the president also reviewed the progress in implementing the seawater desalination strategic plan. Speaking of the plan, the housing minister began by underscoring the state's efforts in that respect since 2014. He noted that desalination plants have been established in Marsa Matrouh, Beheira, South Sinai, Red Sea, Port Said, and Alexandria as part of five related five-year plans that extend through 2050. In addition, the president stressed the need to enhance the efficiency of existing plants to maximize benefits and the need to localize the desalination plants industry. Egypt suffers from a severe water shortage. While it requires 114 billion cubic metres, it has access to approximately 60 billion cubic metres annually, including 21 billion cubic metres of reused water. According to government figures, Egypt's per capita water availability has fallen to 500 cubic metres annually. This is far below the UN's 1,000 cubic metres per person threshold for water scarcity. In March, Egypt signed a cooperation protocol with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to include the Ain Sokhna Seawater Desalination Plant in the country's national Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy (NWFE) programme. The plant will produce one million cubic metres of clean water daily to meet the water needs of existing and future industrial projects, including green hydrogen initiatives. Moreover, the presidential spokesperson noted that El-Sisi was also briefed on the progress of several development projects and urban development plans for the northwestern coast. These projects include developing the Marina Tourist Centre, the Marina 8 project, the archaeological area in Marina, and the strategic plan for the West Ras El-Hekma area and New Alamein City. The president was also briefed on other Ministry of Housing projects, including launching phase 10 of the Beit El-Watan Initiative for Egyptians abroad. He also reviewed the government's steps to increase the number of land plots offered to meet citizens' needs. Furthermore, El-Sisi reviewed the progress on the Your Home in Egypt initiative. He also reviewed the management mechanisms for public parks in Cairo. The spokesman noted that the discussions included leveraging international best practices for green space management and development and promoting investment-related activities in these areas. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily News Egypt
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily News Egypt
New Alamein City to host Egypt International Sculpture Symposium, 'ART SPACE'
New Alamein City is preparing to host two international art events in 2025: the first Alamein edition of the Egypt International Sculpture Symposium from 6 to 30 August, and the second edition of 'ART SPACE' for the arts from 19 July to 30 September. According to a statement from the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, these events are intended to underscore the city's growing status as an international destination for creativity. The sculpture symposium will be its first iteration in Alamein and the tenth to be held in Egypt overall. The symposium will feature a selection of prominent international sculptors. The event aims to offer attendees the experience of observing live creative processes, as blocks of stone and recycled materials are transformed into artworks on the Mediterranean coast. Ahmed Ibrahim, Head of the New Alamein City Authority, stated, 'We are pleased to host the Egypt International Sculpture Symposium in New Alamein City, and we affirm our commitment to providing all facilities to ensure the success of this important artistic event, reflecting the city's status as a leading platform for art and culture.' He added, 'The events are open to the public, and we invite everyone to discover New Alamein City as an integrated destination that combines art, tourism, and a modern civilised character.' Mohamed Hamida, an artist and the general organiser of the symposium, expressed his deep gratitude to the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and the New Urban Communities Authority, appreciating the support of Ahmed Ibrahim. Hamida further elaborated, 'Thirty leading international sculptors specialising in stone sculpture and the recycling of waste and metals will participate in the symposium. The artists have shown enthusiasm for visiting Egypt, and their works will be gifted to the city authority to adorn its streets and squares, in a step that enhances the visual identity of New Alamein.' The symposium's programme will include sculpture workshops, a contemporary art exhibition, an 'art dinner' event at the closing ceremony, and a comprehensive tourist programme for the participating artists. This programme will feature visits to prominent landmarks in Alamein, Alexandria, the Pyramids, and the Grand Egyptian Museum, aiming to reflect the depth of the cultural experience Egypt offers. Separately, the 'ART SPACE – Second Edition' events will run from 19 July to 30 September 2025. This will feature art exhibitions, visual installations, and live interactive workshops, designed to allow the public to engage directly with contemporary arts in an energetic and creative summer atmosphere.
Egypt Independent
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
PM inspects Sheikh Zayed expansion works in Giza
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Saturday 24/5/2025 visited Giza to follow up on infrastructure development in the expanded area of Sheikh Zayed City. The extension, based on a 2017 presidential decree, added over 8,000 feddans to the city. He was accompanied by Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Sherif El Sherbini Giza Governor Adel al-Naggar, and other senior officials. The expansion follows Presidential Decree No. 77 of 2017, which added 8,336 feddans to the city. The land has been legally settled, and permits have been issued for launching integrated urban projects. The main 1200 mm water pipeline feeding the area has been completed and is now in operation. Ongoing work includes road construction and full utility networks. Initial roadwork covers 10 km, with another 15 km in preparation. Water, sewage, and irrigation lines are being installed, along with service connections tied to nearby residential and airport areas. During his visit, the Premier also called for continued coordination among the authorities concerned to complete the works on schedule and meet the growing needs of the city's new districts.
Egypt Today
24-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt's PM inspects several ongoing residential houses in 6th of October City
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly inspects progress of road and utility infrastructure works in the Green Belt area of 6th of October City, on May 24, 2025- press photo CAIRO – 24 May 2025: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly inspected, on Saturday, several ongoing development projects in the 6th of October City in Giza Governorate, after he had attended the celebration marking the 123rd anniversary of the Egyptian Ambulance Service. During his tour, Madbouly, accompanied by his entourage, inspected the "Saba" residential compound in the northern expansion area of 6th of October City. The project is being developed by the Ministry of Housing. Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, stated that the Saba residential project comprises 85 residential buildings, offering a total of 2,040 fully finished units. The units range in size from 100 to 142 square meters. New Zayed expasion area Also, Madbouly inspected ongoing road and utility works in the Sheikh Zayed City (New Zayed) expansion area. Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny noted that land registration in the expansion zone has been completed and ministerial decrees have been issued to facilitate integrated urban development. He added that the main 1200mm water pipeline serving the area is now operational, with water already pumped into the network. The Minister also reviewed progress on various infrastructure components. Water networks are being installed with pipe diameters ranging from 200mm to 1200mm, covering a total of 90 kilometers. Drainage systems, with diameters from 200mm to 1400mm and depths from 1.5 to 10.5 meters, extend over 113 kilometers. An 88-kilometer irrigation network is also under development, with pipe diameters from 200mm to 1000mm. Additionally, road networks spanning 90 kilometers are being constructed, with 10 kilometers currently underway in the first phase. Preparations for the second phase, which includes an additional 15 kilometers, are in progress. Green Belt area Madbouly also inspected the progress of road and utility infrastructure works in the Green Belt area of 6th of October City. The Green Belt development aims to establish a fully integrated urban community spanning a total area of 12,494 acres, divided into three distinct zones. Zone 1 Covering approximately 4,500 acres, the first zone has a total utilities budget of EGP 2.964 billion. The project encompasses the implementation of comprehensive infrastructure, including roadworks, water, sewage, and irrigation systems. It is scheduled for completion within one year and includes approximately 236 kilometers of utility networks: · 76 km water network · 78 km irrigation network · 82 km sewage, rainwater drainage, and discharge lines · Main and secondary road network totaling 85 km · Five sewage pumping stations Zone 2 This phase spans approximately 2,242 acres with a utilities cost of EGP 2.153 billion. The project includes: · 43 km water network · 38 km irrigation network · 55 km sewage and rainwater drainage network · 30 km road network (main and secondary) It also features four tunnel pushovers beneath the Middle Ring Road for utility lines, comprising two sewage pumps, one water pump, and one irrigation pump. Additionally, a drinking water lifting station with a total capacity of 26,000 cubic meters per day is under construction. Zone 3 Covering 3,517 acres, the third zone is in the preparatory phase. Road and utility designs have been completed and reviewed, with tender documents currently being finalized. The Green Belt development represents a strategic step toward expanding urban infrastructure and sustainable city planning in the 6th of October area.
Daily News Egypt
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
China's Xinxing invests $150m in ductile iron pipe plant in Egypt
Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, Sayed Ismail, toured the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) this week, visiting the newly established Chinese Xinxing factory for ductile iron pipe production. During his visit, Ismail inspected all stages of the manufacturing process—from the assembly of local components and smelting, to centrifugal casting, protective coating application, and final product testing. He was briefed by Xinxing officials on the company's global experience in large-scale infrastructure projects and its interest in partnering with Egyptian firms and entities affiliated with the Ministry of Housing. The Deputy Minister emphasized the strategic significance of the Xinxing plant, which aims to localize the production of ductile iron pipes—critical components in major national infrastructure and utility projects. By producing locally, the plant will help reduce reliance on imports, lower procurement costs, and support exports to African and Gulf markets. Xinxing representatives noted that the facility, located within the 'TEDA–Egypt' industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, spans an area of 270,500 square meters. The total investment in the project stands at approximately $150m. The plant is expected to create 700 direct jobs and an additional 220 indirect employment opportunities. It boasts an annual production capacity of 250,000 tonnes of ductile iron pipes, with diameters of up to 2,600 mm, tailored to the specifications of various national projects. Ismail reaffirmed the Ministry's full support for the initiative, in line with Egypt's broader national strategy to expand domestic manufacturing capabilities and open new export markets across Africa and the Arabian Gulf. He also underscored the importance of competitive pricing and the prioritization of local content in procurement by government-affiliated bodies. 'These serious investments reflect the confidence of international companies in Egypt's industrial potential,' he said, expressing optimism about further opportunities for industrial cooperation across Egypt's 27 governorates and 44 new cities.
