President El Sisi meets Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority
The following is a statement from Ittihadiya released on Friday, 19 June 2015:
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met with the Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority Vice Admiral Mohab Mamish on Thursday.
Mr. Mamish reviewed progress made to finalize digging and dredging activities in the New Suez Canal. He noted that the dry digging has been entirely finished and 87 percent of the dredging and 40 percent of the lining have been completed. He added that all necessary equipment is concurrently being deployed to make the waterway navigable by different types of ships, maps of the new canal are being distributed to shipping agencies and a naval monitoring station is being established.
Mr. Mamish also outlined plans to develop the port of East Port Said as well as the industrial zone and logistical hub on the land around it. He reviewed various development proposals, and their associated anticipated costs. In addition the possibility of engaging the Engineering Authority to work on them was discussed. The President instructed the Suez Canal Authority to move ahead with the implementation of the proposals as the Suez Canal Area Development Project comes under its authority.
The meeting also reviewed the latest preparations for the inauguration ceremony on August 6. The President stressed that the ceremony should be Egyptian in character and that financial costs should not be borne by the state budget. Mr. Mamish stated that an account has been created at the central bank of Egypt to accept contributions from Egyptians here and abroad, as well as from businessmen, investors, and other institutions operating in the country. The President emphasized that contributions should be made willingly.