letter fromCairo Bi-monthly Perioidical/Second Edition/August,2015

Egypt - rejoicing # New Suez Canal ’s gift to the world

Suez Canal story

Egyptian Citizens , heros of new suez canal

1 Letter From -Second Edition/ August 2015 Second Edition/ August, 2015 "Special Edition"

Letter from Cairo A Bi-Monthly Periodical released Editorial in different languages on the current political, economic, and cultural developments in Egypt A dream that came true Issued by Foreign Media Sector State Information Service Arab Republic of Egypt The release of this issue of “Letter from Cairo” coin- cides with the most important event Egypt is witness- ing nowadays. On August 6, 2015, the dream of the Egyptian people will come true as their strong will be Board Chairman manifested on the ground given the inauguration of the new Suez Canal, only one year after kicking off the Ambassador Salah A Elsadek project in August 2014. In celebration of the occasion, this issue is dedicated to highlight that global event. Editor-in-Chief This issue includes a comprehensive coverage of all the stages of the project as it sheds light on the Suez Abdel Mo'ti Abu Zeid Canal and its strategic importance to the country eco- nomically and politically and how the international Executive Editor media handled the event, as it highly praised the deep love Egyptians have for their nation and their Manal El Shabrawi immediate action to finance the project, through the fund-raising campaign in less than eight days, after Editors President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for subscription to fund the project. Also, we will highlight the role Nashwa Abdel Hamid of the Egyptian workers who work over the clock to Mostafa Ahmady have the project finalized by the set deadline, an epic which history will write down to highlight that great achievement whether when it comes to digging or Layout craning works among others. Now we are about to Nisreen Ahmed witness that historic moment where Egypt introduces her gift to humanity with the participation of kings, heads of states and governments of friendly and sis- terly nations, as well as representatives of the differ- ent categories of the Egyptian people who insist to rewrite history and witness a new birth for their be- loved country. Our message is that Egypt is safe and capable of making great achievements.

SIS Website: http://sis.gov.eg Email: [email protected]

2 Address: 2 Estad el-Bahary St, Nasr City - Cairo The political and strategic importance of the Suez Canal Right from the very beginning, the Suez Canal was linked to the colonial contest over Egypt and its impact on the Egyptian national security as the banks of the Ca- nal were the scene of several wars. Therefore, an immense strategic and security importance is attached to that region; this can tell why the Armed Forces have been overseeing the implementation of the New Suez Canal project which was kicked off on August 5, 2014. It is probable, then, that this fact would be put into consideration as regards other projects that would take place in the future with the goal of securing the waterway and the related economic activities to be established on the banks of the Suez Canal. - No doubt, concerns regarding the security British naval strategy that was keen on secur- situation in the Sinai Peninsula and the exist- ing the maritime dominance in the Mediterra- ence of terror organizations, the probability nean and the road leading to India. The Suez of their impact on the Suez Canal highlight Canal has given the opportunity to fleets of the important role of the Armed Forces in other countries to access the Mediterranean. confronting those organizations over the past The opening of the Suez Canal has resulted months. There are some concerns regarding the in a growing international contest over Egypt freedom of navigation in the straights that the and mounting pressures on it under the pretext ships crossing the Suez Canal might facei.e. of securing navigation in the Canal. This was Hormuz and the Bab el Mandab straights. If a direct reason for increasing the British in- the situation in the Hormuz Straight is some- fluence in Egypt, which later led to Britain’s how stable, the Bab El Mandab is witness- occupation of the country in 1882 and the es- ing political escalations given the situation tablishment of the largest British military base in Yemen and the growing Iranian influence in the Middle East in the Canal, in addition thanks to the Houthis, let alone Iran’s direct to delaying Egypt’s independence from Brit- presence in the Eritrean Islands which all can ain. The Suez Canal used to remain as one of be regarded as a source of danger that must be the elements of the Soviet-American conflict handled and dealt with accordingly. The acts given the fact that whosoever controls that of piracy in the Red Sea taking place near the waterway would be empowered to control the Somali coasts are also another danger. It is move of the international trade and warships noteworthy to mention that the decisive factor coming from the Mediterranean into the Red in increasing the number of ships crossing the Sea and the Indian Ocean and vice versa. The Suez Canal would be the growth of the move importance of the Suez Canal emanates from of international trade and the capability of the the fact that it is the most important waterway new canal of attracting ships that have never in the world with the Panama Canal, which crossed the Canal before. was opened in 1914, coming hardly next to it. - The geo-strategic importance of the Undoubtedly, Egypt’s full sovereignty over the Suez Canal emanates from the presence of the Canal highlights this importance, putting into components of political and economic geog- consideration that Egypt, since its nationaliza- raphy in that region which can be made clear tion of the Suez Canal in 1956, is bound by via analyzing the regional and international di- the articles of the Constantinople Pact (1888) mensions as follows: which regulates the move of navigation into the Canal, unlike the situation of the Panama First: The growing strategic importance Canal which used to be administered by the US of the Suez Canal to Egypt: from 1914 till 1999. Therefore, the Egyptian - The establishment of the Suez Canal led to role in protecting the Suez Canal and secur- a revolution into the maritime navigation and ing the move of navigation supports the status the concepts of peace and war as it facilitated Egypt enjoys internationally. Also, the circum- the quick and safe access to Eastern Africa’s stances linked to the establishment of the new coasts and the Far East. It also affected the Suez Canal, which the Egyptian leadership

3 Letter From Cairo -Second Edition/ August 2015 was keen on finalizing by Egyptians whether of cutting short distance and time. The Suez in the implementation phase or finance, sup- Canal also surpasses several land roads such ports such importance. Kicking off the project as the Israeli Ashdod-Eilat Road that connects confirms the independence of the Egyptian na- the Eilat Port on the Al-Aqaba Bay to Ashdod tional decision and the freedom of action at the on the Mediterranean so that goods can be international level based on self-dependence. transferred via railway and trucks, but it has Egypt has thus emerged as an influential re- a problem in terms of cost and loading. There gional player in the Middle East where the is also another competitor for the Suez Canal country is regarded as a basis for maintaining which is the Eurasia Road, a project both Chi- regional peace and security, let alone a country na and Russia are enthusiastic about, as it tar- keen on basing its international relationships gets the establishment of a huge road connect- on the principle of the exchange of interests. ing the two continents and passes from China to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Moscow and then other European countries. But this project Second: The growing competitiveness of encounters technical difficulties as regards the the Suez Canal: size of the railways from a nation to another, in -The new Suez Canal would increase the addition to other political problems given the competitiveness of the current one through huge number of countries that it would which 10% of the volume of the cross, let alone financial issues. international trade is cross- Whatever it is, the Suez ing currently compared Canal would remain to the Panama Canal the best way for that enjoys half containers whose of that amount. number is on This is due to the rise from the unique lo- South Asia cation Egypt and South and the Ca- Eastern nal enjoy. Asia head- The Suez ing for the Canal is also US Eastern the shortest Coast. The and quickest Canal’s com- waterway for petitiveness is transferring the growing given Gulf Region’s the number of oil to Europe. The pivotal ports on its Suez Canal is, howev- way across the Asian er, facing fierce competi- coasts, the Mediterrane- tion from alternative land and an and the Rea Sea. With the maritime passages, but it surpasses completion of the Suez Canal Axis them with relative advantages. The Suez Ca- Development, the Canal would turn from a nal surpasses the Panama Canal when it comes mere waterway to an investment attracting re- to length and depth and the submersible length gion. and the number of crossing hours. It also sur- passes the North Sea, that expands from Sibe- Third: Merging Sinai into Egypt’s ria coasts to the Atlantic into the Pacific, which is actually a short passage as crossing pro- inhabited area cess takes place within 23 days from Russia - For a long time, the Sinai has remained to China, but it is highly cold which forces a a war zone; that is why it has low population shutdown for eight months a year, putting into and few economic activities. But the Suez Ca- consideration that the maximum load of the nal Axis Development and linking Sinai via crossing ships should not exceed 20.000 tons. the tunnels allow it to host land reclamation The Cape of Good Hope competes with the projects and help urbanize it to provide job op- Suez Canal but the latter surpasses by means portunities for people there.

4 Letter From Cairo- Second Edition/ August l 2015 The Suez Canal Axis Development: the Century Project and the train of development for the Egyptian Economy

- The announcement cially where local and Arab dustrial entities at the site. of digging the new Suez capital would participate These entities would de- Canal on August 5, 2014 in implementing it and the pend on making use of the opened the gates of hope Suez Canal region would goods passing at the Suez for a new economic re- become part and parcel of Canal and on the added naissance towards realizing an advanced economic sit- value activities and other the aspirations of millions uation that would support complementary indus- of Egyptians for a better different sectors, let alone tries besides re-exporting life, in addition to injecting providing additional mil- abroad and in the local new blood into the veins lion jobs for the Egyptian markets. They would also of the Egyptian economy people. allow for implementing as the announcement co- - The main concept of several activities and in- incided with unveiling the the Suez Canal develop- dustries such as car assem- Suez Canal axis develop- ment project aims at mak- bly projects, electronics, ment project. This gi- ing use of the location of oil refinery, petrochemi- ant developmental project the Canal in order to turn cals, light metal industries, is expected to achieve a Egypt into an influential logistics distribution cent- huge leap in the life of the global trade, industrial and ers, ships’ services and sup- Egyptian people economi- economic center via creat- ply, ships’ maintenance, cally, politically and so- ing new logistics and in- repair and building, con-

5 Letter From Cairo -Second Edition/ August 2015 boosting the Egyptian na- tional income of the hard currency and pushing for- ward development to re- alize the aspirations of the Egyptian people. - It is worth mention- ing that the idea of the Suez Canal axis project goes back to the late 1970s being put forward by Engineer Has- saballah el Kafrawi, then minister of housing under late President Sadat, then it was put forward again in the beginning of 1990s during the reign of former President , Oil refining industry then under the reign of the tainers’ maintenance and ties in the region to attract outlawed Muslim Brother- manufacturing and textile population with the goal of hood, but it was authorized industries. This would in resettling in the Sinai and by President Abdel Fattah turn lead to providing job Canal regions. El Sisi in August 2014 by opportunities for the youth - The project also tar- giving the go-ahead signal from all governorates in gets encouraging national, towards establishing a new different specializations, Arab and foreign capitals waterway for the Suez Ca- particularly the Sinai gov- and bringing in more in- nal and deepening of the ernorates and the Canal vestments to participate in current one, as well as de- cities, in addition to creat- implementing the general veloping the entire Canal ing new urban communi- plan of the project, plus axis.

Egypt is becoming a new economic, logistic and industrial center of huge importance to world trade 6 Letter From Cairo- Second Edition/ August l 2015 The Suez Canal Axis Development Project -The actual plan of the Suez Canal Axis - One of the projects that would start Development project deals generally with is the establishment of a tunnel under- implementing 42 projects, including high neath the Suez Canal, which would be the priority six projects, namely developing largest of its kind in the Middle East as it the Cairo-Suez would consist of four lanes; constructing Ismailia-Port Said Road into free roads two airports and a number of tunnels; es- in order to facilitate the move of trade be- tablishing three ports for ships’ servicing; tween the region and Cairo; establishing establishing giant ships supply stations Ismailia tunnel that crosses the Suez Axis and re-exporting. All these projects aim at in order to link the two banks of the Ca- doubling the revenues of the Suez Canal nal “East and West”; establishing a tun- via establishing big logistics projects, the nel in southern Port Said below the Suez Silicon Valley for advanced technologi- Canal to facilitate linkage and connectiv- cal industries and resorts across the Canal, ity between the western and eastern sec-

Nes Suez Canal Axix Project tors of the Suez Canal region; developing the Sharm Sheikh Airport and constructing let alone establishing ships’ transit zone a new water outlet for the Ismailia Canal which would in turn lead to creating new to expand till the Canal East Purification industrial and agricultural communities. Plant in order to supply the new develop- - The Silicon Valley is one of the pillars ment areas. of development project, and is located in -The project will be implemented on Eastern Ismailia, stretching over 108 acres stages, the first of which targets creating new for industrial purposes divided into 17 logistics and industrial entities in the region pieces of land whose distance ranges from to depend on the added value activities and 3200-60000 meters. The process consists the complementary industries via new lo- of four stages: the first to be implemented gistics distribution zones and making use of on 3021 acres, the second on 4082 acres, the current entities and their future develop- the third on 4837 acres and the fourth on ment schemes, in addition to upgrading the 4160 acres. already existing economic entities.

7 Letter From Cairo -Second Edition/ August 2015 ‘Miraculous’ Egypt builds second Suez canal

The Egyptian authorities have hailed it he took office. It is seen as litmus test of the as the newest wonder of the world: an eco- success of the ex-military chief’s first year nomic miracle presented to them by Presi- in office It will also solidify Preident Sisi’s dent Sisi, the country’s self-declared saviour, position as the heir to Egypt’s other popu- that would rescue a country weighed down lar strongman, , who by terrorism and regional conflict. wrenched the canal from British and French The New Suez Canal, a £5 billion project control in 1956. The “theft” of the waterway to build a 72km route alongside the existing marked the end of imperial rule over Egypt waterway, is designed to double traffic and and the career of Anthony Eden, the prime increase revenues by 259 per cent to £8 bil- minister. lion per year. It will also cut the crossing time Keeping the canal Egyptian has been by half, to 11 hours, as ships will be allowed at heart of the project, which was funded to sail in both directions. by Egyptians under the slogan “Long Live When construction was announced a year Egypt”, echoing President Sisi’s electoral ago with a 12-month deadline imposed by the chant. Interest-bearing investment certifi- president, few believed that it could possibly cates to fund the project sold out in eight be completed on time. Yet, remarkably for days. Only the second part of the scheme was any construction project in Egypt, the first open to foreign investors. cargo ships sailed the new route on Saturday. Builders employed by the Suez Canal Au- As well as a new lane, the original 145-year- thority, working in three shifts, dug day and old single-channel canal, which stretches night to meet the deadline. from Port Said on the Mediterranean to Suez Admiral Mohab Mameesh, the Suez Ca- on the Red Sea, has been deepened to 66ft nal Authority’s chairman, said Saturday’s (20m) to allow bigger ships through. exercise was completed without incident. Building will begin on the second phase Admiral Mameesh reassured the public of the project for industrial hubs on the wa- and announced the building of another canal terside, creating a million jobs. On Saturday near Port Said East Port, which will begin July,25 three container ships operated by as soon as the new canal has been officially American, Danish and Bahraini lines sailed opened. the new route, amid much fanfare and secu- This latest addition is expected to cost £38 rity. million and will be 9.5 kilometres (six miles) The new canal was one of the first super- long. projects announced by Preident Sisi after http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/africa/article4508850.ece

8 Letter From Cairo- Second Edition/ August l 2015 The Suez Canal story of struggle against colonialism In 1854 the French diplomat and en- shares owned by Egyptian interests in gineer Vicomte Ferdinand Marie de 1875, for 400,000 pounds sterling. Yet Lesseps succeeded in enlisting the continued to have a majority interest of the Egyptian viceroy Said interest. Under the terms of an interna- Pasha in the Suez Canal project. In tional convention signed in 1888 (The 1858 La Compagnie Universelle du Convention of Constantinople), the ca- Canal Maritime de Suez (Universal nal was opened to vessels of all nations Company of the Maritime Suez Canal) without discrimination, in peace and was formed with authority to cut a ca- war. Nevertheless, Britain considered nal and to operate it for 99 years, after the canal vital to the maintenance of its which ownership would return to the maritime power and colonial interests. Egyptian government. The company Therefore, the provisions of the Anglo- was originally a private Egyptian con- Egyptian Treaty of 1936 allowed Brit- cern, its stock owned chiefly by French ain to maintain a defensive force along the Suez Canal Zone. However, Egyp- and Egyptian interests. tian nationalists demanded repeatedly Almost immediately after its open- that Britain evacuate the Suez Canal ing, the Suez Canal had a significant Zone, and in 1954 the two countries impact on world trade as goods were signed a seven-year agreement that su- moved around the world in record perseded the 1936 treaty and provided time. Because of external debts, the for the gradual withdrawal of all Brit- British government purchased the ish troops from the zone.

9 Letter From Cairo -Second Edition/ August 2015 Late president Gamal Abdel-Nasser President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi The canal remained under the control of the two powers until President Gamal Abdel-Nasser nationalized it in 1956; it has since been operated by the Suez Ca- nal Authority, thus making the manage- ment of the canal a 100% Egyptian, which enraged the major powers leading to the Tripartite assault on Egypt in 29 October, 1956. The canal was closed to navigation twice in the contemporary period. The first clo- sure was brief, coming after the tripartite British-French-Israeli invasion of Egypt in 1956, an invasion primarily motivated by the nationalization of the waterway. The canal was reopened in 1957. The sec- ond closure occurred after the June 1967 War with Israel . Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Suez Canal was closed several more times because of conflicts between Egypt and Israel until 1975, Late president Mohamed Anwar ElSadat when Egypt and Israel signed the second disengagement accord.

10 Letter From Cairo- Second Edition/ August l 2015 Fish farming projects inaugurated with new Suez Canal

The Suez Canal Authority will begin For his part, Dean of the Fish Farming implementing the National Project for Fish and Technology Institute at the Suez Canal Farming in the Canal Zone, according to University, Tariq Rashid Rahmi, said the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman Mo- project will have high productivity to cover hab Mamish. Mamish said the authority the demand in Egypt. Rahmi has started establishing 460 fish farming ponds, out added that the project is of a total of 3,828 important, as it pro- ponds. Mamish vides a source also noted that of protein in Spanish com- light of the panies are high prices participat- of meat ing in the and chick- project, with the fish im- en, adding ported from that if the abroad, and that fish produc- the project will tion is suffi- depend on Egyptian cient, it may lead experts. to self-sufficient. Fish Farming is one of He noted that fish farming many mega projects the Egyptian gov- can significantly aid in the development of ernment is planning to implement around the economy, and can produce a multitude the Suez Canal, said Environment Minister Khaled Fahmy, adding that the project is of species that are harvested in ideal condi- meant to secure thousands of tons of fish tions through the control of water tempera- daily. ture, salinity and pH levels, as well as the An environmental study has already percentage of oxygen. been outlined, the minister said, noting that “Fish farming includes two stages, first, two working teams have been formed to the hatchery, which will be through the in- guarantee environmental standards are met stitute, and the second stage is breeding, and to establish an advanced aquaculture which takes place in fish farms throughout system. Environment experts are currently working with their counterparts at the Suez Egypt,” said Rahmi. “The most important Canal Authority (SCA) to prepare a number species of fish that can grow in fish farms are of environmental studies needed to develop sea bass, sea bream, croakers and shrimps. the Suez Canal region, Fahmy further said. Rahmi pointed out that the project will The fish farming project will be inaugu- reduce transportation costs and the rate of rated with the New Suez Canal next week fish spoilage, explaining that establishing following directives by President Abdel the project in this region gives it advantages Fattah El Sisi, the minister said. It is the as it is close to the major ports of Suez, Port biggest aquaculture model worldwide as it Said and Damietta. Additionally, the pro- groups 3,828 tanks, of which 1,380 will go into effect next week. The infrastructure of ject is close to the local market to distribute the project cost some 650 million pounds, fish in Greater Cairo (Cairo, Giza and Qali- Fahmy added. ubiya) and other governorates.

11 Letter From Cairo -Second Edition/ August 2015 New Suez Canal offers its service for all Suez Canal, symbol of Egyptian will that world countries makes life for world Head of Suez Canal Authority Mohab Mamish Suez Canal Authority head Mohab Mamish said the asserted that nearly 97.2 per cent of dredging works canal remains a symbol of the Egyptian will that have been finalized in the New Suez Canal project, makes life not only for Egypt but also for the whole adding that it is a fully integrated project fitted with world. Mamish called on world navigation organi- zations to sail either through the new or old canal, navigational signs, maps, electronic navigation pointing out that the two canals are well equipped devices and highly-trained guides to secure ships and secured. crossing the waterway. Mamish noted that the Suez Canal team is follow- The new Suez Canal will offer its service for all ing up preparations for inaugurating the New Suez world countries, he reiterated. Logistic and security Canal. Mamish asserted that the New Suez Canal preparations were made for the inauguration of the project gives an example of other national projects, new Suez Canal project in time, according to Mam- hailing the performance of all workers in the pro- ish. ject. Mamish also hailed the Armed Forces Engi- The inauguration ceremony will be a world-class neering Authority for wrapping up the dry digging event, Mamish added. operations in the new Suez Canal project. He said He stressed that about 70% of workers in the new canal are Sinai residents, adding that more job dredging works in the canal project was the larg- opportunities for Sinai young people will be pro- est in the history, adding that more than 260 mil- vided in the project. Almost 75% of the worldwide lion cubic meters of water-saturated sand have been dredgers participated in the excavation works in dredged. “This is a miracle,” he stressed. the project. Security measures were intensified across Suez He pointed to the importance of ports in reviv- governorate especially in the eastern and western ing the national economy, saying that 95% of the parts of the Suez Canal area and Ataka Mountains Egyptian exports and imports pass through ports. in preparation for securing the inauguration cere- He called for setting up logistical and industrial mony of the New Suez Canal on August 6. zones in the Suez Canal area to increase the vol- Police forces spread at the entrances and exits of ume of international trade. He urged establishing the governorate via checkpoints and patrols. Suez a strong infrastructure and hiring highly-qualified workers in all sectors. He said that 54% of the Security chief Gamal Abdel Bary is inspecting on world containers pass through the Suez Canal, add- daily basis police forces deployed at Ahmed Hamdi ing that the waterway is capable of accommodating Tunnel linking Suez province with Sinai. 100% of the containers.

Foreign Minister to foreign correspondents: We are capable of protecting navigation into the new Suez Canal: Minister of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the new Suez Canal due to be opened on August 6, 2015 is of a great importance to Egypt and the whole world, reiterating Egypt’s ability of protecting the new canal and securing maritime navigation there. Shoukry noted the confidence of the international community of Egypt’s po- tentials in that respect. During his meeting with the foreign correspondents in Cairo, with participation of Chairman of State Information Service Ambassador Salah Abdes Sadiq, and the dean of the foreign correspondents in Egypt, the Foreign Minister stressed the paramount importance of the new project and the positive outcome of it, noting the confi- dence of the international community of Egypt’s capability of protecting the canal against any terror attacks, expecting the international participation in inaugurating the project.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry

12 Letter From Cairo- Second Edition/ August l 2015 Mamish: New Suez Canal Egypt issus postal stamp to New Suez Canal sets ’digging progress ’miraculous celebrate new Suez Canal precedent for other maritime projects

Chairman of Suez Canal Authority The Egyptian National Mari- Mohab Mamish said the progress time Bulldozer Company, that achieved in digging the New Suez led a consortium to realize the Canal project is “miraculous.” new Suez Canal project, said In press statements on the sidelines 26 maritime bulldozers and 40 of UAE Minister of State Sultan al of the dredging machinery were Jaber’s visit to the New Suez Canal deployed to finalize the project project, Mamish said 98 percent of in less than a year. The com- dry excavations was accomplished pany noted that in the history of and 227 million cubic meters of sand the digging and sand excavation were lifted. He added that 140 mil- works, such a volume of the ma- lion cubic meters of wet sand were Artists competed to design the chinery has never been deployed also removed. postal stamp to mark the open- before. The company indicated Mamish took Al-Jaber in a cruise to ing of the canal’s new lane, on that the biggest challenge to re- inspect the progress of the dredging 6 August. Egypt’s Central Stamp alize the project lied in making works in the new project. Mamish Committee is discussing designs sand excavation works reach pointed out that the New Suez Canal for the postal stamp to be issued very high rates, as more than will be equipped with the most mod- in celebration of the new Suez 200 million cubic meters of ern seamarks and buoys to achieve Canal’s inauguration. sands were excavated, which is a the highest level of navigational very big figure by all means and safety to passing ships. standards.

Container ships transit new Suez Canal in first trial run

Three container ships sailed through the “new” Suez Canal in the first trial run of a second shipping lane alongside the existing waterway ahead of the official opening on August 6. “This is the first trial crossing but it will be followed by more trials,” said Mohab Mamish, the chairman of the Suez Canal. “We are 99.2 percent done with everything. We should be completely done in two or three days.” In order to avoid imposing unnecessary burdens on the impaired Egyptian economy, al-Sisi had announced in March the release of investment certificates that were avail- able for purchase by Egyptian citizens to fund the mega-project. The idea was met with grand enthusiasm, seeing the purchase of investment certificates worth approxi- mately $US 7.6 billion. During the test-run, the New Suez Canal welcomed the passage of the first container ship at 10 a.m. The American ship heading to Saudi Arabia from Egypt’s Port Said weighed 133,000 tonnes, while the second ship, a Danish one heading from Singapore to the United States was loaded with 95,000 tons of cargo. The third ship to make its way through the waterway was a Bahraini ship making its way from Saudi Arabia to Italy carrying a load of 77,000 tonnes. The currently existing 145-year-old Suez Canal, which has seen the passage of around 17,100 ships in 2014, according to the Suez Canal Authority, is considered to be one of Egypt’s primary national income sources. While the old canal reaps an estimate an- nual revenue of $US 5 billion, the new waterway which will allow two-way passage of ships is expected to triple the figure to $US 15 billion annually by 2023. Furthermore, the new dual Suez Canal is expected to speed up navigation, reducing the consumed time of passage from 22 hours to 11 hours, making it the world’s fastest waterway, ac- cording to Mamish.

Letter From Cairo -First Edition/ April 2015 13 Letter From Cairo -Second Edition/ August 2015 People behind the achievement

General Kamel El Admiral Mohab Wazeer: Mamish: General Kamel El Admiral Mohab Wazeer is the Chief Mamish is the Chair- of the Engineer- man of the Suez Canal ing Authority of the Authority , in charge Armed Forces and of managing the pro- the supervisor of the ject. All over the past new Suez Canal pro- year, Mamish promot- ject. Since that mo- ed the project locally ment when President and internationally, Abdel Fattah el Sisi highlighting the tech- told him, on air, that nical studies prepared this project must be by the Suez Canal finalized within only Authority as regards year in lieu of the the importance of the five years earlier pro- project and its tech- posed by experts. El nical, engineering Admiral Mohab Mamish Wazeer regarded the and economic bene- project as the most fits. He also refuted important mission in all allegations made his life. El Wazeer against the project, used to hold meetings confirming to all vis- with the international iting delegations the media to keep differ- effect of the project in ent reporters posted bolstering the canal’s on the implemen- income based on the tation process and growth of the inter- provide a answer to national trade and the any questions issues number of ships that raised about the pro- would cross the new ject. General Kamel canal per day. Mamish El Wazeer is super- made it clear to visit- vising 44,000 work- ing delegations that ers who use from this project would 4300-4500 machines be the core for other to turn the dream into mega projects. reality.

General Kamel El Wazeer 14 Letter From Cairo- Second Edition/ August l 2015 The Egyptian cit- izen : The real hero of the new canal As President Ab- del Fattah el-Sisi launched the new canal project, Egyp- tians acted on the spot to provide, within eight days only,64 billion Egyp- tian pounds required New Suez Canal bonds to fund the project The message is clear: Egyptians can realize lots of achievements. The new project was highly welcomed by different categor- ies of the Egyptian people. As their an- cestors managed to build the Great Pyra- mid that took over 20 years to accomplish, Egyptians again set the record by finish- Field workers at the site of the new canal ing the project within one year after it was scheduled to be done over 3-5 years. 44,000 people, from differ- ent Egyptian govern- orates participate in realizing the dream, and the project can be really regarded as a great epic in the 21st century.

Egyptian youth promoting «Egypt rejoicing» hashtag

15 Letter From Cairo -Second Edition/ August 2015 Russian delegation inspects planned industrial zone A Russian delegation grouping businessmen and representatives of the Industry Min- istry and the Russian Embassy in Cairo inspected the Russian industrial zone, which is designed to be set up in Kilo 109 on Suez-Cairo road. The delegation, led by the director of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations at the ministry was accompanied by over 20 big Russian companies keen to invest in the Egyptian market in the fields of transport, agricultural equipment, civil aviation, heavy industries, shipbuilding, energy and communications, Industry Minister Mounir Fakhri Abdel Nour said. The visit aims to put into effect agreements signed with the Russian side following the talks Abdel Nour had with Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov in Russia in June, he added. The delegation along with Suez Governor, deputy of Red Sea Ports Authority and rep- resentatives of the Industrial Development Authority inspected Adabiya port and re- viewed the steps and necessary proposals to establish silos inside the port. The governor said that establishing this industrial zone will contribute to promoting economy as part of the national project of the Suez Canal. The project will also increase trade and industry movement, he added. New Suez Canal logo on EgyptAir planes

Logo stickers, portraying the new Suez easily seen. Canal, were placed on planes of Egyp- The flag carrier airline of Egypt- par tAir ahead of the inauguration ceremony ticipates in a promotional campaign of of the new water way project scheduled the new project. “Being the official car- for August 6. rier of the ceremony, EgyptAir prepared “The company has placed the logo on a the logo to foster the ceremony,” Kamal number of planes to fly the world to mark said. the inauguration of the new Suez Canal,” The inauguration ceremony of the new Minister of Civil aviation Hossam Kamal Suez Canal is set to be organized by the said, adding that the logo was placed on UK’s WPP Company for advertising and the front of the planes, so that it could be public relations.

16 Letter From Cairo- Second Edition/ August l 2015 Sisi approves amendments to law organizing investment in Suez Canal zone President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi decreed a law A new diving world record marking amending several provisions of the law governing ‘Economic Zones with a Special Nature’, accord- the new Suez Canal official inauguration ing to the state’s official gazette. The new law or- Walaa Hafez has joined the Egyp- ganizes and governs investment in the Suez Canal tian Naval College and graduated in area, and the economic body that will take over 2001. He had to leave his work as managing the Suez Canal Development Project, in a naval Special Forces SEAL team coordination with all the concerned governmental leader in the Special bodies. Forces, due to a serious injury in the According to the official gazette, the amendments revolution of 25th of Janury 2011. stipulated that the general authority, to be formed Walaa, inspired by the Egyptian to manage the zone, has the right to participate in champion Ahmed Gabr, who achieved launching one or more major companies to develop the area, or to license others to launch this company. 332.35 meters depth and emerged out “Each company that is entrusted with developing of the water in 13 hours 15 minutes, the economic zone with a special nature or part of world’s Deepest Scuba Dive in Sep- it, as well as promoting it, launching, managing, do- tember 2014. Walaa decided to break ing the maintenance of the infrastructure within its the record on the June 4th 2015 , dur- borders, must be a major development company,” ing the International Red Sea Festival explains the gazette. for diving & swimming. The amendments allow trading in the shares of the He is aiming to reserve a historical joint stock companies that initiated the area as soon place for Egypt in Guinness World as they are launched, without being restricted by Records by his longest open saltwa- their nominal value, and upon the agreement of ter scuba dive, beating the previous the board of directors, due to the regulations de- world record which was set by Amer- termined by the cabinet. Hany Sarie-Eldin, legal ican Allen Sherrod at 51 hours and 4 adviser of the Suez Canal Corridor Development minutes. He is also seeking permis- Project, said that “the new law does not oblige the sion from President Abdel-fattah Al- authority to initiate a major development company Sisi to achieve a new world record by for the area, of which it owns over 50%”. diving in the new Suez Canal. The amendments allow the Authority to engage a private sector party to develop the area and per- form the maintenance of the infrastructure, without Center to guide ships acquiring a share in the development company, or at New Suez Canal set up while owning very small shares. Sarie-Eldin said that the procedures of forming the A center to guide ships at the new general authority of the economic zone will take Suez Canal has been set up. “The place, including a head for the authority and nine center is a three-storey ship and is members, four of whom represent the related min- istries and governorates. They include the Ministry equipped with advanced naviga- of Defence, and five members with financial and tion equipment and devices,” official technical legal experience. sources said. Parallel to the original The amendments stipulate that the president has the Suez Canal, the new waterway is ex- right to establish one or more economic zone out- pected to help revive Egypt’s econo- side the current urban spaces of the cities and vil- lages. Moreover, the zone may extend to inside the my by increasing annual ship traffic urban space of the cities and villages if the nature revenues, luring huge foreign invest- of the project requires it. ments and creating thousands of job The general authority issues work permits for for- opportunities. eign labor subject to approval by security bodies. It is also responsible for coordinating with the Min- istry of Defense, in order to take into account de-

17 Letter From Cairo -Second Edition/ August 2015 Egypt seeks Guinness world record recogni- tion for longest flag

Egypt is putting together a12 kilometer-long flag in a bid to set a new Guinness world record and promote the upcoming in- auguration of the new Suez Canal project scheduled for August 6. In a tour set to cover Egypt’s 27 governorates, the flag arrived in Up- per Egypt’s governorate in Aswan where hundreds of people gathered to place their signatures and celebrate the event. The idea first started by members from the Union of Societies for Peo- ple with Disabilities and the Egypt 2020 Society, with the participation of more than 500 NGOs bidding to collect 54,000 signatures from Egyptians across the country. “Each of Egypt’s 27 governorates is to participate by providing 450 meters of the flag which bears the signatures of 1000 people with dis- abilities,” Chairperson of the Union in Aswan Mervat el-Semman said. Aswan governorate has finished its own part of the flag, which was signed first by Egypt’s Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, during his visit to the governorate a few weeks ago, Semman added. Mamish: New Suez Canal to post key US official: New Suez Canal to reduce position on int’l investment map oil prices

The new Suez Canal will post an impor- Special Envoy and Coordinator for tant position on the international invest- ment map, said Chairman of Suez Canal International Energy Affairs leading Authority Mohab Mamish, adding Egypt the Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) and the Suez Canal area in particular are at the US Department of State Amos J one of the best investment zones in the world in view of their distinguished geo- Hochstein underlined the importance of graphical positions. the new Suez Canal, noting that it would help reduce international prices of trans- Mamish said “the inauguration of the new Suez Canal on August 6 will send a porting oil. He said his current visit to message to the whole world that Egypt is Egypt comes ahead of launching the safe and stable and Egyptians are capa- ble of realizing achievements despite the Egyptian-American strategic dialogue to challenges facing them.” He hailed the uncover ways to deepen joint coopera- role played by youths who joined hands tion in the field of energy. to realize development of their nation.

18 Letter From Cairo- Second Edition/ August l 2015 High-level German delegation to attend new Suez Canal project opening

Hollande to attend inauguration A high-level political and economic ceremony of New Suez Canal delegation from Germany will attend the inauguration ceremony of the new French President François Suez Canal project led by Minister for Hollande will visit Egypt on Economic Affairs and Energy and Vice August 6 to attend the inau- Chancellor of Germany Sigmar Gabriel, guration of the New Suez Ca- nal. This will be Hollande’s said German Ambassador in Cairo Han- first visit to Egypt since he sjorg Haber. took office, a source with the Gabriel has participated in Egypt Élysée Palace said. Economic Development Conference in Hollande will attend as a March in Sharm El Sheikh. Egypt has guest of honor at an invitation made a great accomplishment with car- by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and will lead a rying out the canal project in just a year delegation of French officials, without foreign funding, Haber added. including his Defense Minis- Executing logistic and industrial sup- ter Jean-Yves Le Drian. port projects will back the Egyptian During his one-day visit to economy and international trade, the Egypt, the French president German envoy said, adding that Ger- will also hold talks with Sisi many will benefit from the new canal as on regional and international issues of mutual concern, the the third largest commercial country in source noted. the world. Egypt will in turn benefit from the The Elysée issued a state- sustainable growth of German’s trade ment describing inauguration ceremony of the New Suez and expansion in Asian markets, he said. Canal as great success, which The German companies that had par- will push forward the devel- ticipated in carrying out the new canal opmental ventures in the sur- rounding economic areas project are willing to contribute more when work starts for establishing a new logistic center between the Red and Mediterranean Seas, he added

19 Letter From Cairo -Second Edition/ August 2015 Acrylic on canvas (120x120) depicting digging and dredging works in Suez Canal, old and new. Courtesy of Artist Shaimaa Elkelany, 2015.

20 Letter From Cairo- Second Edition/ August l 2015