, Malabo… Fruitful Presidential Tour In This Issue Page:5

Egypt no longer on US State Department travel warning list Chairman of SIS Page:40 Ambassador Salah A Elsadek Messi, ’s face of Tour n’ Cure Page:37

Editor-in-Chief

Abdel Mo’ti Abu Zeid th 38 International Film Festival Page:49

Executive Editor Nashwa Abdel Hamid

Editors Mostafa Ahmady Iman Abdel Meguid Heba Adel

Layout Contact us Letter from Cairo Shimaa Abd El-Sabour Rami Ahmed State Information Service (SIS) A bi-monthly periodical on the Foreign Information Sector current political, economic, and cultural developments in Address: 3 Al Estad Al Bahary St. - Nasr Egypt. Cover City, Cairo.

Rami Ahmed Tel: 22617304 - 22617308 - 22617358 Issued by: Web Site :www.sis.gov.eg Foreign Information Sector E-mail :[email protected] State Information Service Arab Republic of Egypt

2 Table Of Content

Editorial Sisi hails ’s support for Egyptians to build democratic State Sisi attends 4th Arab-African Summit in Malabo

Relations between Egypt and Equatorial Guinea Sisi receives delegation of 50 US companies SMEs loan portfolio expected to increase to 70bn in 4 years

Egypt launches 30 water wells in Tanzania Messi, Egypt’s face of Tour n’ Cure Egypt no longer on US State Department travel warning list 2nd Egyptian Date Palm Festival opens in named World Tourism Capital of 2016 14 countries participated in Cross Egypt Challenge Dr. Boutros Ghali Exhibition inaugurated at Pharaonic Village 38th Cairo International Film Festival Egypt’s Arab Music Festival celebrates Silver Jubilee Al-Ahly wins African Handball League for fifth time

Egypt’s karate team wins gold, silver and bronze in world championship

Omar Assar wins table tennis title in

To navigate the issue on the website of the State Information Service click here 3 Editorial

Lisbon, Malabo ... Dialogue between Two Continents

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi made a three-day to Portugal where he had important talks with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime António Costa on regional developments and means to combat terrorism as well as taking part in a meeting of Portuguese businessmen and giving a lecture at the Portuguese Military Academy. The President then headed to Malabo, the capital of the Equatorial Guinea, to take part in the 4th Arab-African Summit. The President’s participation in the summit reflects Egypt’s keenness on enhancing inter-African joint cooperation for achieving sustainable development and standing up to various challenges facing Arab and African peoples. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also received a delegation from the US business community under Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State David Thorne. The delegation groups representatives of about 50 US companies operating in the various sectors. Thorne said Egyptian-US relations will remain strong and fruitful, pointing out to keenness of President El-Sisi and the Egyptian government on making changes to put Egypt on the right track. He expressed his country’s support for Egypt in receiving the loan of the International Monetary Fund. On a different note, the decision by the US State Department considering Egypt as a safe country was hailed. According to a map that was published by the State Department, Egypt was classified as a safe destination for US nationals who are seeking to spend Christmas vacations. The current issue of “Letter from Cairo” also features a number of key tourist and cultural events including: 38th Cairo International Film Festival, 2nd Egyptian Date Palm Festival in Siwa Oasis, the opening of the museum of Egypt’s former UN secretary general Boutros Ghali, Egypt’s latest initiative for medical tourism towards a world free of Hepatitis C, and achievements of Al-Ahly Sports Club which won African Handball League for fifth time, Egypt’s national karate team which won gold, silver and bronze in world championship and tennis table player Omar Assar who won the African Table Tennis Championship for men, held in Morocco October 31, 2016 for the second time in a row. 4 Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (R) with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (L) prior to a meeting at Belem Palace. Sisi hails Portugal’s support for Egyptians to build democratic State

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi hailed Portugal’s support for the Egyptian people to build a modern civil democratic State. During a dinner banquet held by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in honor of the President, Sisi extolled the balanced Portuguese stands vis-à-vis the political developments in Egypt over the past few years. President Sisi also referred to the Portuguese role in expounding to European partners the true image of the developments in Egypt and highlighting the importance of buttressing Egypt in such historical stage. During the banquet which was attended by United Nations Secretary General António Guterres and several Portuguese politicians and public figures, De Sousa hailed the current visit by President Sisi to Lisbon. De Sousa noted that Portugal has changed a lot since the last visit by an Egyptian president in 1992. 5 He called for enhancing prospects for enhancing cooperation between the Sisi stresses economic and trade two States, highlighting Egypt’s keenness cooperation between the the pivotal Egyptian on promoting two countries, according role in the Middle East to the Spokesman. Also relations with EU and the direct impact in the meeting, Sisi of Egypt’s stability and countries referred to efforts security on Europe. De exerted by the Egyptian Sousa extolled Sisi’s require strengthening government to develop efforts to disseminate cooperation between the the industry sector and the moderate teachings Mediterranean’s South and build industrial cities of Islam, support North, Spokesman for the and zones. the dialogue among Presidency Alaa Youssef Costa, for his part, civilizations and push said. welcomed Sisi’s visit, forward the Middle East President Sisi voiced pointing out that it is peace process. happiness for visiting a momentum towards Sisi stresses Egypt’s Lisbon and hailed the warm promoting the two keenness on welcome that reflects the countries’ ties, the promoting relations distinguished and profound Presidential Spokesman with EU countries relations between Cairo said. He stressed his President Abdel Fattah and Lisbon, the Spokesman country’s keenness on El-Sisi stressed Egypt’s added. developing Lisbon-Cairo relations, the Spokesman keenness on promoting Youssef noted that added. The Portuguese relations with the President Sisi stressed the prime minister hailed the importance of promoting latest economic decisions countries, notably economic cooperation taken by the Egyptian Portugal. The President between the two countries, government, stressing made the remarks in pointing out that the that many Portuguese talks with Portuguese volume of trade between companies are interested Prime Minister Antonio the two countries is not in investing in Egypt. Costa in Lisbon. During commensurate with the meeting, Sisi their “excellent political The meeting was attended said that challenges relations”. The President by the Egyptian ministers of the Middle East said that there are broad of foreign affairs, trade, industry and investment 6 Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (R) and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El-Sisi listen to the national anthems at the Belem monastery on the beginning of a State visit in Lisbon. 7 as well as the Portuguese ministers of He asserted the importance of foreign affairs, defense, planning and continuing coordination and infrastructure. Sisi and Costa tackled consultation between the two ways to develop bilateral cooperation countries within the UN bodies in many fields, especially in the and regional and international economic and trade sectors. The forums, such as the Union for the latest developments in the Middle Mediterranean. De Sousa pointed to East as well as fighting terrorism Egypt’s role in boosting cooperation and extremism were also discussed between the Arab world and the in the meeting. European Union. Egypt plays vital role in realizing For his part, President Sisi lauded security, stability in Middle East: Portugal’s balanced stances toward Portuguese president developments Egypt has recently seen Portuguese President Marcelo and understanding of the Egyptian Rebelo de Sousa asserted that Egypt people’s choices, Presidential plays a pivotal role in consolidating Spokesman Alaa Youssef said. the foundations of security and He offered congratulations over the stability in the Middle East. De election of prominent Portuguese Sousa made the comments during a politician to the post of the UN chief, meeting with President Abdel Fttah who was supported by Egypt. El-Sisi at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon. The spokesman added that the talks took up challenges and crises in the Portugal is looking forward to region, which necessitate boosting boosting relations with Egypt in cooperation between the north and various fields and holding a meeting south of the Mediterranean to face of a joint committee soon to activate such crises. cooperation in various sectors, he said. He lauded Egypt’s strong Sisi reviewed the latest developments support to Portugal’s candidate in Egypt, asserting the State’s for the UN secretary general post keenness to consolidate the values Antonio Guterres. He congratulated of democracy and rule of as well President Sisi on Egypt’s election as achieve balance between freedoms to a membership in the UN Human and security and stability. Rights Council. 8 Sisi: Egypt’s stance towards Syrian crisis ‘clear’

Egypt has a clear stance towards asserting the need to solve the crises the Syrian crisis, President Abdel in Iraq, Syria and Libya in order to Fattah El- Sisi said. Interviewed curb increase in terrorist attacks. by the Portuguese RTB TV channel, The developments in these countries Sisi said Egypt respects the will of encourage a favorable environment the Syrian people and seeks to find for the growth of extremism and a political settlement of the Syrian terrorism, the President said, urging issue. “Syria suffered badly over the the international community to stand past five years,” the President said, united in the face of terror. calling for disarming terrorist groups As for the Egyptian stance on the as soon as possible to maintain the deployment of Egyptian troops as unity of the Syrian territories. part of a UN peacekeeping force in Commenting on pre-election remarks Syria, President Sisi said it is better to by US President-elect support national armies, whether in against Islam and Muslims, President Syria or in Libya, to maintain security Sisi blamed the recent terrorist and stability on their territories. attacks for deep concerns among President Sisi reiterated the necessity politicians across the globe. Each of recognizing the danger of turmoil country tries to provide security and in the Middle East, warning of a wave safety for its people and I appreciate of attacks in Europe if no changes that, he added. happened. As for the Egyptian approval of President Sisi said Egypt is not Russia’s draft resolution on Syria’s isolated from the surrounding Aleppo, President Sisi said that the troubles, adding the country survived Russian and French draft resolutions a civil war when an opposition group were similar in several key points, was ready to opt for violence against mainly imposing a truce and providing the rest of the Egyptian people. humanitarian aid which, according The President noted that about 82 to the President, represented the prisoners were pardoned under the Egyptian point of view. rule of law. Up to 500 cases are under That’s why Egypt supported the consideration, he added. two draft resolutions, Sisi noted, 9 President Sisi signs note in protocol book at Portuguese Military Academy Portuguese defense minister calls for In a lecture at the Academy, solidarity with Egypt to face threats President Sisi addressed means of fighting terrorism and asserted that Portuguese Defense Minister José Islam is innocent of extremism. The Alberto Azeredo Lopes expressed President underlined the necessity his country’s solidarity with Egypt of forming an international coalition in the face of the challenges it faces. for fighting terrorism. Welcoming President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Portuguese Military Sisi: No refugee camps on Egyptian Academy, the Portuguese defense soil minister said that Egypt occupies an President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi important geopolitical and strategic stressed that there are no refugee position in the world, calling on camps in Egypt, pointing out that world countries to express solidarity refugees who came to Egypt are with it to face threats. living normally among the Egyptians

10 without any kind of discrimination. are disguising under the cloak of Answering a question about illegal Islam to undermine the State and immigration following a lecture loot the resources of countries. He he gave at the Portuguese Military further asserted that the religious Academy, President Sisi said Egypt institution of Al-Azhar is exerting has not received any international all efforts for standing up to assistance to face the refugees’ extremist ideas through spreading crisis and reduce burdens of their the moderate thought of Islam. presence in the country. The President further highlighted Refugees who left their homeland the necessity of fighting illegal seek security and hope, he said, migration through ending armed asserting the need to provide conflicts in several countries that security and stability and creating lead to the fleeing of citizens of these hope in their nations. Failing to do so countries to European coasts. He would lead to escalating the refugees’ underlined the necessity of forming crisis and increasing their influx into an international coalition for fighting Europe, he added, voicing Egypt’s terrorism, adding that it is no secret readiness to promote cooperation that different strategic challenges with the Europeans to secure that are facing the international maritime borders to confront illegal community are associated with migration. “We need joint efforts injustice of the distribution of the and support by major countries to fruits of international economic confront illegal immigration,” the growth between developed and President pointed out. developing countries.

Sisi addresses means of fighting Other challenges are related to the terrorism in lecture in Portugal security aspects such as the spread of armed conflicts which provide a President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi fertile environment for the spread of addressed means of fighting terrorism and extremist ideologies, terrorism in a lecture he gave in he added, noting that this situation the Portuguese Military Academy. constitutes the most dangerous The President asserted in his challenge as it is threatening the lecture that Islam is innocent from lives of innocent people and their extremism and that terrorist groups right to enjoy safety and security. 11 “At the first quick glance at the The President explained that current active terrorist organizations Egypt, while fighting terrorism and in the international arena we will extremism, was keen on undertaking find that the approach adopted by the job within the legal framework terrorist organizations in Western and respect of international human countries and Europe in the past is rights conventions out of its faith in almost the same which is adopted the importance of adherence to the by organizations that are using values of freedoms and the principle religion as a cloak for their terrorist of the State of Institutions. Egypt, operations”, said the President. added the President, is presenting a Though different in names, these model example to be followed for a organizations have no difference State whose institutions are working in thought and ideology, noted the together for defending the principle President, adding that they use the of the national State amid a very same extremist terms of reference. volatile regional context.

President Sisi arrives in Lisbon. 12 All these challenges require the the Libyan crisis following a lecture international community to outline a at the Portuguese Military Academy comprehensive strategy for fighting in Lisbon, the President called for warped ideas and tendentious backing the Tobrok-based Libyan ideologies disseminated by terrorist Parliament under Aqila Saleh and groups on several electronic websites, also called for lifting the arms ban said the President, underlining the imposed Libya’s national army to necessity of reaching an international enable it to take control of the agreement on the necessary country’s territories. measures for indicting all attempts The President said that Egypt has instigating hatred and violence been exerting strenuous efforts to on electronic websites and other secure its border with Libya which modern means of communication. extends over 1,200 kilometers. Also, added the President, all President Sisi added that Egypt’s international efforts should be pooled stance towards the Libyan crisis is together for preventing supplying based on the importance of restoring terrorist groups with funds and the national State role to confront arms. He underlined the necessity terrorism and boost stability. of seeking political settlement to current armed conflicts given the Sisi voices appreciation for fact that these conflicts provide Egyptians’ understanding of a fertile context for the spread of challenges terrorist groups. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi The lecture was attended by the expressed his appreciation for the Portuguese minister of defense Egyptian people and their keenness and the Armed Forces chief of staff on the security and stability of their along with the top commanders of homeland and understanding of the naval, air and ground forces. the challenges the country faces, particularly in the economic domain. Sisi stresses importance of lifting The economic challenges required arms ban on Libya’s national army adopting necessary measures such as liberalizing the exchange rate President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of the pound and partially lifting highlighted Egypt’s respect for the subsidies on fuel, President Sisi said Libyan people’s choice. Asked about 13 President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (C-L) poses for a photo with Portuguese Parliament President, (C-R), and parliamentarians during their meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, 22 November 2016

answering a question following a Sisi visits Portuguese Parliament lecture he gave at the Portuguese HQ Military Academy in Lisbon. The President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Egyptian people accepted the visited the premises of the Portuguese measures out of their awareness Assembly of the Republic where on the dangers of instability and he met with President Eduardo insecurity, he added. Ferro Rodrigues. They held talks What has been achieved in Egypt on ways to enhance parliamentary was the outcome of the people’s ties between the two nations after awareness and belief in the need the formation of the Egyptian to protect the State, he said. The House of Representatives. They President hailed the Egyptians, also discussed means of promoting describing them as the “true heroes” Egyptian-Portuguese relations in who were able to safeguard their the economic and political fields and country against terrorism. combating terrorism along with the latest developments in the Middle East. 14 Sisi signs note in protocol book at Sisi meets with leading Portuguese Portuguese Parliament investors President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi signed President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi had a note in the protocol book during talks in his residence with leading his visit to the headquarters of the Portuguese investors and businessmen Portuguese Parliament. In his note, operating in the fields of new and the President lauded the depth of renewable energy, construction, friendship relations binding the two technology and information countries, expressing interest in technology, maritime transport. The boosting cooperation between the two meeting took up means of increasing parliaments. “I am confident that the their investments in Egypt and the two parliaments are working for the available investment opportunities prosperity of the two peoples,” Sisi in the country. said. Accompanied by Portuguese Speaker Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, Sisi: Lisbon “bridge” of cooperation, Sisi toured the building of the dialogue among peoples, starting Parliament. The Speaker posted the point of geographical discoveries Egyptian leader on the Portuguese President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi visited parliamentary life. the city hall of the Portuguese capital of Lisbon where he was welcomed by

President Sisi meets with leading Portuguese investors. 15 President Sisi and Portuguese business delegation discuss bilateral cooperation. Mayor Fernando Medina. Sisi and challenges. The Portuguese official Medina inspected the honor guards, also pointed to Lisbon’s active role and the two national anthems were as a bridge between cultures, given played. Members of the city council, its geographical position on the Arab and foreign ambassadors as meeting point between the Atlantic well as Portuguese public figures Ocean and the . were present. For his part, President Sisi said Lisbon’s mayor bestowed on Sisi that Lisbon has always been a the “key” of the Portuguese capital bridge of cooperation and dialogue in appreciation of the historical among peoples and the starting relations binding the two countries, point of geographical discoveries. Spokesman for the Presidency Alaa He pointed to the deeply-rooted Youssef said. and historical relations binding He welcomed Sisi’s visit to Portugal Egypt and Portugal, hoping for which is the first by an Egyptian more cooperation. president in 24 years, saying he President Sisi, Portuguese is looking forward to boosting counterpart exchange medals cooperation between the two countries in all fields and to face President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his Portuguese counterpart 16 Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa exchanged “What I saw of beauty embodied in medals at the end of their talks Lisbon’s magic buildings which have at the Portuguese presidency seen successive times that failed to headquarters. obliterate its greatness confirms According to Presidential that people perish but their relics Spokesman Alaa Youssef, the and works remain immortal to Portuguese President bestowed witness their creativity,” he added. President Sisi with the Order of Mayor of Lisbon bestows on Sisi Prince Henry the Navigator. For Portuguese capital key his part, President Sisi presented his Portuguese counterpart with the Mayor of Lisbon Fernando Medina Collar of the ; Egypt’s highest bestowed on President Abdel Fattah State honor, in expression of the El-Sisi the “key” of the Portuguese strong and deeply-rooted relations capital during a ceremony at the between the two countries. city hall. In a brief speech at the ceremony, President Sisi said that Sisi signs note in visitors’ book at the cultural communication between Lisbon’s city hall the two countries will help boost the President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi economic and political relations. signed a note in the visitors’ book The President added that he agreed in the city hall of the Portuguese with the Portuguese president to capital of Lisbon. President Sisi achieve a quantum leap in bilateral wrote: “I am pleased to express my relations during the coming period. deep thanks and appreciation for For his part, Lisbon’s mayor asserted the warm welcome and hospitality the importance of Sisi’s visit with I received upon my visit to the city regard to coordination between hall of Lisbon and for bestowing Egypt and Portugal amid the illegal on me the key of such great and immigration crisis in Europe that beautiful city.” requires more efforts to solve it. “I am looking forward to boosting Portuguese, int’l media outlets communication between Lisbon and spotlight Egyptian-Portuguese Egypt’s urban centers like Cairo and Summit to cement the friendship The Egyptian, Portuguese and binding the two countries and international media outlets gave peoples,” he said. prominence to the Egyptian- 17 President Sisi awarded keys to Lisbon. Portuguese Summit between illegal immigration and boosting the President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Egyptian-Portuguese ties. President his Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Sisi also gave an interview to the Rebelo de Sousa. Portuguese TV Sunday evening on Dozens of from the Egyptian, ways of boosting bilateral ties and Portuguese and international the latest issues of mutual interest. media outlets attended the Summit. Sisi probes with Portuguese President Sisi gave an interview to the PM bilateral ties, regional Portuguese News Agency ‘’LUSA’’. In developments the interview, President Sisi tackled a host of issues of mutual interest, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held including combating terrorism, and a session of talks with Portuguese 18 Prime Minister Antonio Costa at the president for the warm reception cabinet’s headquarters in Lisbon. and hospitality, saying that ties The talks tackled means to promote binding Egypt and Portugal are bilateral relations and other issues of strong and historic. Portugal plays mutual concern, as well as regional a crucial political and cultural role and international developments. The at the international arena, said Sisi, talks came after a press conference adding that it also has contributions by President Sisi and his Portuguese to promoting cooperation with the counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. various countries. Sisi invites Portuguese president to Talking about the situation in Egypt, visit Egypt President Sisi said that Egypt has gone through several changes over the President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi invited past years, adding that he appreciates his Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Portugal’s balanced stance toward Rebelo de Sousa to visit Egypt soon the developments in the democratic to enhance partnership between the transition in Egypt. Egypt is looking two countries. This came during a forward to Portugal’s support in joint press conference held between dealing with the daunting challenges the two presidents, following their besetting the country, he went on to bilateral talks at the Presidential say. Palace in Lisbon. The Egyptian-Portuguese ties President Sisi also called for activating witnessed remarkable development the joint Egyptian-Portuguese over the recent period, Sisi said, committee swiftly in order to promote adding that Egypt is keen on further cooperation between the two countries promoting ties with Portugal. in the various spheres. He urged the He invited Portuguese investors Portuguese investors to participate and businessmen to benefit from in the national projects, which are the promising opportunities in being carried out by Egypt, and enhancing infrastructure. He also benefit from the available investment invited them to make use of the opportunities. investment incentives, which are President Abdel Fattah El - Sisi offered by the government, as part extended thanks to the Portuguese of the new investment law.

19 President Sisi also underlined the International Monetary Fund, the importance of maintaining he said, adding we know what talks coordination between Egypt with IMF mean in order to boost and Portugal to confront several the production wheel, taking into challenges, topped by terrorism account social and human rights and extremism, along with challenges. combating illegal immigration and Portugal is following up refugees. developments in Egypt, he said, De Sousa thanks Sisi for Egypt’s adding Egypt has an important support for Portugal’s nominee geopolitical location in the for UN post Mediterranean Sea area. Portugal and Egypt are concerned with Portuguese President Marcelo the issues of refugees and illegal Rebelo de Sous thanked Egyptian immigration, according to de President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for Sousa. Portugal and Egypt are also Egypt’s strong support to Portugal’s interested in boosting peacemaking candidate for the UN secretary in the Middle East region, he said, general post Antonio Guterres. The adding Sisi’s visit to Portugal Portuguese president described enhances bilateral relations in all the Egyptian support as “important domains. and friendly.” Sisi lays wreath on tomb of great Addressing a joint press conference Portuguese poet with Sisi at the presidential palace in Lisbon, de Sousa said President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi he accepted Sisi’s invitation to visit laid a wreath on the tomb of Luís Egypt. Portugal and Egypt share Vaz de Camões, one of the greatest viewpoints regarding different Portuguese poets. Camoëns is issues, de Sousa said. He noted one of the most famous poets in their talks tackled “difficult” Portugal. He is thought to have challenges facing the two countries, been born around 1524. He wrote including the economy, social a considerable amount of lyrical justice and human rights. poetry and drama but is best Portugal had a former experiment remembered for his epic work Os in conducting negotiations with Lusíadas (The Lusiads). 20 FM describes Sisi’s meetings and for its efforts to enhance Egypt’s with Portuguese officials very relations with the European Union,” positive he added. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry Both countries, to a large extent, shared described President Abdel similar political views and keenness to Fattah El-Sisi’s talks with senior develop economic relations in several Portuguese officials as “very domains, including renewable energy positive”. The visit is the first of its and technology. kind by an Egyptian president in 24 years, Shoukry told reporters. New investment law aims at “It was pleasing and we were removing obstacles to direct made to feel very welcome as investments the Portuguese side asserted the Minister of Industry and Trade Tareq importance of enhancing historical Kabil said the new investment law relations with Egypt,” he added. aims at removing all obstacles to the “The Portuguese side was also flow of direct investments. Kabil told keen on rendering the President’s reporters in the Portuguese capital visit to Lisbon a State visit,” he Lisbon that his ministry and the said, adding that such stance Investment Ministry made an initial “reflected the Portuguese side’s review of the new investment draft eagerness to develop relations law to ensure it does not include any in the various domains.” The articles that hinder investment flow. top diplomat further added that The top official said his ministry is keen bilateral relations needed more on developing the competitiveness efforts on both sides to “explore” edge of industrial sectors in Egypt’s available opportunities and points different governorates. of “joint interest.” The industry contributes to the gross During talks with his Portuguese domestic product with about 18 counterpart and the prime minister, percent, he said, adding the ministry Sisi exchanged viewpoints on the has adopted a strategy for promoting various regional and international industrial development, small and developments, Shoukry said. “Sisi medium-sized industries, cars, also thanked Portugal for its stance technical and vocational training and following the June 30 revolution governorance. Kabil said his ministry 21 has adopted a new program to Sisi visits Portuguese aerospace support exports which calls for company increasing the number of exporters President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi including junior exporters and paid a visit to OGMA, a Portuguese deepening local industry in order aerospace company ahead of his to uplift exports and decrease departure from Lisbon. OGMA is imports. The volume of imports considered one of the most important decreased by about seven billion companies worldwide in the field of dollars this year, while the volume manufacturing, maintaining aviation of exports increased by one billion structures and conducting research dollars, according to Kabil. He on aviation science. said recent economic decisions on interest rate liberalization will positively affect the volume of exports.

President Sisi at Aerospace Company. 22 Sisi’s visit to Portugal, ‘quantum leap’ in bilateral relations

Egypt’s Ambassador to Portugal Ali El-Ashri President Sisi visits Lisbon said that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s visit for joint cooperation: to Portugal is a “quantum leap” in bilateral relations, particularly in light of the historic Portuguese Ambassador political ties between the two countries. The top diplomat attached importance to the visit Portuguese Ambassador as it is the first by an Egyptian President to Portugal since 24 years and it comes after to Cairo Madalena Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s Fisher said that the visit inauguration. of President Abdel- The visit reflects the great appreciation of Fattah El-Sisi to the the Egyptian political leadership and its crucial Portuguese capital Lisbon role in the Middle East region, Ambassador strengthens cooperation Ashri added. and coordination between In 2015, trade exchange between Egypt the two countries in and Portugal went up by 38 percent to reach political, economic and nearly 200 million Euros, Ashri noted, saying cultural fields; describing the President’s visit is an opportunity to increase the relations between the trade exchange between the two countries. He two countries as “historic further underlined genuine efforts exerted to beef up Egypt’s exports, including leather and and solid.” Egypt plays a cotton yarns, which represent 60 percent of pivotal role in the Middle Egypt’s exports. East and Africa, the Portugal, as a member of the European Union Ambassador added. Fisher and NATO, takes many stances in support of affirmed her country’s Egypt. There is coordination between the keenness to strengthen two sides to back each country’s nominee for relations with the African international posts, he stressed, citing Egypt’s countries. clear stand in support of Portugal’s candidate Antonio Guterres for the UN Secretary-General post. 23 Sisi attends 4th Arab-African Summit in Malabo

(L to R) President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Equatorial Guinean President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Arab League chief Ahmed Abul-Gheit

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi participated in the fourth Arab-African Summit. The President's participation in the summit reflects Egypt's keenness on enhancing inter-African joint cooperation for achieving sustainable development and standing up to various challenges facing Arab and African peoples, said Presidential Spokesman Alaa Youssef.

24 Sisi underlines necessity of achieving exchanging experience for defending sustainable development for Arab and the interests of our countries and their African peoples independence”, added the President. President Abdel Fattah El- “Past experiences showed that the Sisi underlined the necessity of deterioration of international peace achieving sustainable development and security and the challenges of and improving the living conditions poverty and slow development rates are of Arab and African peoples. The associated, said the President, adding remark was made in his speech at that this State of affairs requires us fourth Arab-African Summit. He to address these challenges from a added that current trans-border comprehensive perspective”, added challenges require pooling together all the President. regional and international efforts for addressing these challenges. The crisis Out of this premise, Egypt is placing of refugees and illegal migration along security and stability in the Arab with the activities of trans-border and African countries on top of the organized crime of drug smuggling priorities of its foreign policy, said and human trafficking and the spread the president, adding that Egypt of heinous terrorist organizations are holds that peace is the cornerstone clear examples of these challenges. for achieving sustainable development and prosperity. “Therefore it was very important President Sisi asserted that Egypt to enhance cooperation among our will maintain its efforts for supporting countries and support the system of

Statement by H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the 4th Arab-African Summit 25 Arab and African economic cooperation Sisi holds bilateral meetings on sidelines and development programs. “Achieving of Arab-African Summit this goal requires removing hindrances President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to the movement of trade and held several bilateral meetings on the enhancing our ability to tap regional sidelines of the Arab-African Summit. and international markets along with The President had talks with the Emir attaining industrial development”, he of Kuwait, the presidents of Equatorial pointed out. Guinea and Guinea along with the vice He underlined on this score Egyptian president of Burundi, said Presidential efforts for upgrading the Canal Spokesman Alaa Youssef. zone with a view to setting up an Egypt attends meetings of ministers of exclusive economic zone benefiting trade, economy, finance in Malabo both the Arab and African regions. Egypt attended the meetings of the The zone, added the President, ministers of trade, economy and finance, includes several commercial and which are emanating from the meetings logistical centers and ports that will of the fourth session of the Arab- hopefully help increase joint trade African Summit, in Malabo, the capital exchange. of Equatorial Guinea. A high-level The President voiced hope for Egyptian delegation under President implementing a proposal he had put Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended the forth at Kuwait summit on setting up a summit. The ministers reviewed aspects network for coordination among Arab of economic cooperation and discussed and African development funds and also a host of economic issues of mutual finance mechanisms. The proposal is interest. In a Statement, Trade and aimed at maximizing the benefit from Industry Minister Tarek Qabil said assistance offered by these funds and that the meetings reviewed the joint mechanisms, said the President. Afro-Arab plans to attain agriculture development and food security. The Egypt will be glad to host the first meetings also tackled the possibility of meeting of the network for outlining establishing a free trade zone between the bases for cooperation by the various the Arab and African countries, he Arab and African funds and mechanisms, added. added the President.

26 Relations between Egypt and Equatorial Guinea

Political Relations The Egyptian diplomatic mission was opened in Malabo in March 2008 at the level of charge d’affaires and then upgraded to the level of ambassador in March 2010. Mutual Visits Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasago has invited President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to attend the African Summit held June 26-27, 2014 in his capacity as the president of the host country. The official and popular warm reception of former Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab and his accompanying delegation during a visit to Malabo in May 2014 attested to strong relations binding the two countries. For his part Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasago asserted his country’s support for Egypt. He confirmed that his country exerted all efforts for having a decision issued by the African Union reinstating Egypt’s activities in the Union. Guinean Vice President Ignacio Milan Tang also said that his country maintains its efforts for supporting Egypt in all its stances. Bilateral relations have witnessed progress where the equatorial president visited Cairo in May 2009 and the Egyptian Foreign Minister visited Malabo in April 2010 followed by the visit of Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea to Cairo in June 2010, accompanied by several ministers. 27 Economic Relations Egypt and Equatorial Guinea signed on 9 May, 2014 four contracts on joint cooperation in economic domains. Also the delegation accompanying Mahlab during his visit included the ministers of foreign affairs, agriculture, oil, health and housing. The ministers held talks with their Guinean counterparts on means of boosting joint cooperation as follows: First: In the housing domain The two sides reached an agreement on enhancing cooperation for setting up a center of quality control of building materials in Guinea in cooperation with the Egyptian National Center for Housing and Building Research. The Egyptian Arab Contractors Company took over setting up the building of the center at the expense of the Guinea government. Egypt provides the expertise for running the center and training Guinean staffers. • Setting up a medical center in Guinea by the Arab Contractors company with the Egyptian Health Ministry supplying it with doctors in different specializations. • Putting forth a project that could be carried out by Egyptian contracting companies including: 1. A project for setting up 1,000 housing units similar to that the Arab Contractors Company has established in Guinea. 2. Setting up a project of 500 housing units in Liberia to be financed by Guinea. 3. Setting up a headquarters for the Energy Ministry in Guinea. 5. Setting up a headquarters for the Guinean embassy in . Second: In the health sector • Discussing the activation of a memorandum of cooperation that was signed by the two countries. • Discussing cooperation in the fields of preventive medicine and programs for combating endemic and epidemic diseases such as malaria. • Supplying Guinea with its needs of doctors through the Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation with Africa, an offshoot with the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

28 President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi leaves Malabo after participating in the African summit meetings, in Malabo, Guinea Third: In the agricultural domain • The two sides have discussed the details of a draft memorandum of understanding that would be signed by both countries in the field of agriculture including setting up a joint farm for producing seeds and adopting modern irrigation and sewage methods. Fourth: In the domain of oil and mineral resources • The two sides discussed proposals for cooperation in the fields of oil and natural gas with Egypt offering its potentials in the domain of transport networks and infrastructure. • Reviewing the possibility of importing liquefied gas from Guinea • Reviewing the possibility that Egypt would train Guinean workers in the field of oil and natural gas along with mineral resources. Egyptian Community The Egyptian community living in Equatorial Guinea reaches 600 in number most of them working with the Egyptian Arab Contractors company in addition to several others working with Sweidi Company for Cables and the Italian Piccini Company together with some oil companies. 29 Sisi receives delegation of 50 US companies

President Sisi receives American business community delegation President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a delegation from the US business community under Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State David Thorne. The delegation groups representatives of about 50 US companies operating in the various sectors. The meeting was attended by the ministers of foreign affairs, communications, petroleum, trade, industry, finance, investment along with the US ambassador to Egypt. During the meeting, President Sisi welcomed the US delegation, affirming that Egypt attaches great importance to strategic ties binding the two countries, said Presidential Spokesman Alaa Youssef.

Egypt also seeks to promote cooperation and coordination with the new US administration towards issues of mutual interest, the Spokesman quoted President Sisi as saying during the meeting. The President also pointed out to 30 the positive meetings Washington backs of the most important held in September fundamentals of Egypt’s in New York with Egypt's endeavors foreign policy. representatives of the to establish US business community. democracy, The Spokesman said He further reviewed the that the Ministers national projects, which economic growth of Communications, are being implemented, Petroleum, Trade, topped by the Suez Industry, Finance and Canal Development Investment reviewed Project along with President Sisi during the meeting the the efforts exerted also responded to a available investment by the government number of inquiries by opportunities in the to implement more representatives of US various spheres along economic reforms. companies on the latest with efforts exerted President Sisi also economic developments by the government to referred to the initial in Egypt, according to enhance the national agreement reached the Spokesman. economy. with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Responding to a They also cited the and the government’s question on the future legislative reforms intention to provide a of the Egyptian-US introduced by the climate conducive to ties, Sisi affirmed government with a investment. President that ties between view to creating a Sisi, meanwhile, hailed the two countries are climate conducive to the good reputation outstanding. The investment, including of the US companies upcoming phase will the establishment of which are operating in witness more growth the Supreme Council the Egyptian market. and development in of Investment, with the It is important to ties between Egypt aim of developing the increase volume of and the US, he investment policy of the trade exchange and US affirmed. Regarding State, according to the investments in Egypt, the Egyptian-Gulf Spokesman. Sisi said. ties, Sisi affirmed that these ties represent one 31 The Ministers further said that the Senior Advisor to US Secretary of volume of US investments in Egypt State David Thorne said Egyptian- went up from 19.3 billion dollars US relations will remain strong in 2013 to 21.3 billion dollars by and fruitful despite some points of the end of 2014. US investments in disagreement between Cairo and Egypt represent about 30% of the Washington. At a press conference US direct investments in the African on the sidelines of a conference continent, they noted. organized by the US Chamber of Commerce, he said the two countries Washington backs Egypt’s agreed on the importance of political endeavors to establish democracy, and economic stability in Egypt. economic growth Thorne added that his country

32 backs Egypt’s steps for achieving Egypt in receiving the loan of the democracy and economic growth, International Monetary Fund. He pointing out to visits to Egypt by a said relations between the United number of senior US officials during States and Egypt are deep-rooted the past years. and were not affected by the change of various administrations, The US official pointed out voicing belief that such relations to keenness of President Abdel will not be changed in the future Fattah El-Sisi and the Egyptian even in the presence of a new US government on making changes to administration. put Egypt on the right track. He expressed his country’s support for

33 SMEs loan portfolio expected to increase to 70 bn in 4 years

The National Bank of Egypt (NBE) aims to increase the size of loans granted to small- and medium–sized enterprises to EGP 70bn over four years, according to the NBE’s CEO Hazem Hegazy. He said that NBE began funding SMEs in 2010, noting that the current size of loans granted to these projects amounts to EGP 28bn, out of EGP 230bn of total loans. Hegazy added that Egypt has a great opportunity for developing SMEs, pointing out that 80% of 2.4m SME projects operate in the unofficial market, which hinders the ability of banks and financial leasing companies to reach them. “NBE pays special tribute to the industrial and food agricultural sector, in line with the State’s efforts,” he said. “This contributes to easing the burden on hard cash and increasing its resources.” He noted that tax revenue in Egypt amounts to EGP 200bn. “Should the State successfully include all SMEs in the official system, collected tax would boost to EGP 1tr.” About Small and Medium Enterprises Unit The Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) unit was established in 2009 in collaboration with the Business Development Services Support Project (BDSSP/CIDA) in accordance with the Central Bank of Egypt to enhance and boost SMEs financing environment through providing training and technical assistance, as well as various supportive knowledge management solution activities. SMEs’ produce contributes to 75% of exports The SME unit serves Egypt’s banking sector as well as small and medium business owners with an ultimate goal of bridging the gap between them. It provides a cluster of international and local training programs, researches and technical assistance services to enhance the capacity of the entire banks as well as raising the awareness of SMEs towards banking requirements and good governance. The SME Unit offers a comprehensive range of training programs for bankers and small and medium business owners through training manuals and modules, following international best practices that include simulation games and role playing.

34 Egypt launches 30 water wells in Tanzania

Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel-Aati attended a ceremony to mark the launch of 30 new water wells at the Tanzanian province of Sami. Abdel-Aati said the wells are offered by the Egyptian government to the people in Tanzania. Some of the wells are equipped with solar-powered pumps and some are powered with diesel fuel or operate manually to provide potable water and serve inhabitants in three isolated provinces in Tanzania, he added. The top official said the project was carried out by a major Egyptian company specializing in groundwater work at a cost of 900,000 dollars.

Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Aati inaugurates Egyptian water projects in Tanzania 35 The project came as part of a memorandum of understanding which was signed by the Ministries of Water and Irrigation in Egypt and Tanzania in December, 2009, according to Abdel Aati. In line with the memo, Egypt is to dig 70 wells across Tanzania to provide potable water for isolated citizens in poorest areas in Tanzania, he noted. Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Mohamed Abdel Aati also held talks with a number of senior officials of Zanzibar, including the ministers of agriculture, irrigation and trade, during his current visit of Tanzania. Abdel Aati said his Ministry is ready to offer all technical expertise needed in Zanzibar, including rehabilitating the infrastructure of irrigation system and setting up underground wells. He added such water projects could be financed by international donors, PPP system or through a tripartite partnership that was successfully applied worldwide.

36 37 Therapeutic Tourism in Egypt

With dry weather than 1356 hot springs and abundant curative Messi, Egypt’s and mineral water hot springs, Egypt is locations span all the perfect place for face of Tour over Egypt alongside therapeutic tourism, State-of-the-art thanks to the famous n’ Cure laboratories and historical spots such medical facilities that as Hilwan, Ain el- can provide advanced Seerah, Ain Sukhna, health services for , Fayyoum, therapeutic tourism the Oases Region, takers. , the Sinai, and The South Sinai Safaga, the latter is Governorate, for well known for its example, is abundant black sands that have in places designed the power to cure Hot Sands of El-Dakrror Mountain for medical tourism. different skin-related Moses Pool (Hammam diseases. Musa), located five Therapeutic tourism kilometers from al- amounts to 5%-10% Tur in South Sinai, of the global tourism has five hot springs activity; in other words, that are rich in this type of tourism sulfur springs minerals and have a will help increase the healing power against number of tourists to psoriasis, vitiligo, and Egypt and therefore other skin diseases. enable the country to Hammam Pheroun gain its leading role (The Pharaoh’s Pool) in that respect. More is much of a natural 38 Baharia Oasis sauna from which hot waters, averaging EgyptAir, will provide special rates 55-75 Celsius, flow. These waters have for visitors coming to the country for the power to cure rheumatoid, joint medical tourism within that program. pain, backache and osteoarthritis of Recently, Egypt has received global the knee. Some springs, however, have recognition for its successful efforts the healing power against stomachache, towards curing the infamous virus. colon, ulcers and indigestion via The medical course takes up to 3 consuming some of its waters. They are months to finish, including a week in located some 20 kilometers from the Egypt; the program targets 120, 000 city of Ras Sidr near to Wadi Garandal, tourists from England, , , which is one of the most beautiful , Russia, Malaysia, Turkey and valleys in South Sinai. Romania who will come to Egypt for Messi, Egypt’s face Hepatitis C cure. The Ministry of Health has set a plan to attract millions of Tour n’ Cure of tourists for therapeutic journeys to Lionel Messi has become the face of Egypt, particularly as the country Tour N’ Cure, Egypt’s latest initiative for enjoys lots of medical attraction medical tourism towards a world free spots such as Hammam Pheroun (the of Hepatitis C. Egypt’s national carrier, Pharaoh’s Pool), Oyun Musa (Moses’ Springs), and Ras Sedr (all located in the Sinai Peninsula), Siwa Oasis (Marsa Matruh Governorate) and the curative and hot springs in the New Valley and Aswan. The first of these therapeutic journeys is expected to start May 2017 in the Sinai to be followed by other regions in Egypt.

Doctors in Egypt recommend it as a cure for a host of medical conditions including joint problems, rheumatism and renal diseases 39 Egypt no longer on US State Department travel warning list

Tourists at the pyramids plateau, Giza Tourism Minister Yahia Rashed hailed the US Department of State’s recent decision to classify Egypt as a safe country for travel, describing it as a positive sign for Egypt’s tourism sector. “The decision is a message of reassurance on the safety of our touristic destinations,” the minister said in a Statement. Egypt was not included in the list of countries that are facing a travel warning or alert, set by the US Department of State. According to the US Department of State, a travel warning is an advisory against travelling to certain destinations, while an alert offers information citizens should be aware of before travel to certain places. Dar Al-Ifta hails US decision considering Egypt safe country Egypt’s “Dar Al-Ifta” (the official body entrusted with issuing religious rulings and scholarly opinions) hailed a decision by the US State Department considering Egypt as a safe country. According to a map that was published by the State Department, Egypt was classified as a safe destination for US nationals who are seeking to spend Christmas vacations. Dar Al-Ifta’s Islamophobia Observatory, in a released Statement, said that such a move by the State Department is a slap on the face of terrorist groups and organizations which are trying to tarnish Egypt’s image and seeking to undermine and destroy the Arab region. Such a classification will help increase the flow of investments and support economic development in Egypt, added the Statement, indicating that it will also help restore the tourist movement to Egypt. The observatory renewed its call to adopt an initiative by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for forming an international union for fighting terrorist groups atop of which comes Daesh group, added the Statement. 40 nd Egyptian Date Palm Festival 2 opens in Siwa Oasis

Dates ripen, Siwa Oasis. The Siwa Oasis, located 650 km from Cairo, hosted the 2nd Date Palm Festival in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Arab Emirates. The event, that took place from October 27-29, 2016, meant to provide a better marketing for Siwa’s dates production best known for its high quality and taste compared to other products from other countries. Dressed in colorful traditional costume, children of the Oasis, that lies 60 km of Egypt’s borders with Libya, sang in their Tamazight language, a common language in North Africa and the Egyptian Oasis. The Marsa Matruh Governorate, 410 km from Cairo, has inked an agreement with the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation 41 to renovate the Siwa Date Plam Plant at a cost of LE 5 million, as the facility produces 3000 tons of dates per annum; it is expected to reach 19,000 tons in the coming three years. During the proceedings of The Festival, the Siwa for educating the cultural heritage of the Oasis Oasis was awarded the to the residents there and foreigners visiting the FAO Globally Important city as well. A branch for the Matruh radio station Agricultural Heritage was also opened at the Siwa Oasis. System (GIAHS) for Meanwhile, the 2nd Date Palm Festival has 2016. The Oasis also attracted tourists, domestic and foreigner, to the is seeking to get the Siwa Oasis, as hotels were fully booked for the ECOCERT, an organic event. In addition, date palm importers from certification organization Turkey, Indonesia and Jordan signed deals to based in France, in import 1150 tons of dates from the city. It is worth coordination with the recalling that the Siwa Oasis is home to 700,000 Khalifa International palm trees that produce some 84,000 tons of Award for Date Palm and dates, averaging 120 kg/palm tree. Agricultural Innovation, which would get the Siwa Oasis placed at the world map as an organic certified city. At the sidelines of The Festival, Marsa Matruh Governor General Alaa Abu Zeid and the ministers of Trade and Agriculture opened the first educational library in the city. The library will be a platform 42 Girl wearing the traditional dress of Siwa grinding salt. Luxor named World Tourism Capital of 2016; hosts UNWTO meetings

Deir El-Bahri temple columns at Luxor The southern Egyptian city of Luxor, known for its ancient temples and tombs, hosted the 5th Global Summit on City Tourism on November 1-3 and celebrated choosing the city the World Tourism Capital of 2016. The Summit, which ran for three days, witnessed the launch of an international initiative to support terrorism as main pillar for the world economy. Also, the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) held its 104th session at luxor. In May, the city was unanimously chosen by the UNWTO as the world tourism capital for 2016 to prove Egypt’s determination to succeed in spite of the tough challenges. Egypt chaired the 103rd session held in Malaga, Spain on May 9 – 11, 2016 under the title “Tourism and Security: Towards a Framework for Safe, Secure and Seamless Travel”. Luxor, which is often called the world’s greatest open-air museum, is a matchless tourism distention for its scale and grandeur of the monuments that have survived from ancient Thebes. The breathtakingly beautiful city stretches on the banks of the Nile River flowing between the modern city and west-bank necropolis and backed by the enigmatic Theban escarpment. Scattered across the landscape, the city embraces the temples of Karnak and Luxor in the east to the many tombs and temples on the west bank. It also includes the Valley of the Kings, Luxor Museum and Temple, Valley of the Queens and Amun Temple. 43 14 countries participated in Cross Egypt Challenge

The Rotary Club of Alexandria in cooperation with Tourism Promotion Authority and the Automobile and Touring Club of Egypt held a cross-country rally throughout Egypt under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism. The new season of the Rally Challenge to Cross Egypt tock place in October 20 and lasted for ten days. The course of the new season consists of 9 different stages with a total distance of 3,000 kilometers. Countries participating in the rally this year included USA, , England, , , the , , Austria, Italy, Palestine and Egypt. Cross Egypt Challenge is a unique cross-country rally on motorcycles and scooters. It is the ultimate adventure for those who love adventure travel and extreme sport. The 2016 season of Cross Egypt Challenge encompasses a very rough and long track throughout some of the best sightseeing spots of Egypt and the world. Cross Egypt Challenge has attracted much local, regional and international media attention and has been featured in BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and hundreds of other , magazines, websites, TV channels and radio stations around the world. The reach of the past five seasons of Cross Egypt Challenge was estimated at 300 million people worldwide. Highlights of the Cross Egypt Rally 2011-2016: • The series started in 2011 and the first challenge was a 9 days ride from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in the North of Egypt to the temple of , on the southern borders of Egypt with a total distance of over 1700 km. • The 2012 season witnessed a 2400 km route starting from Egypt’s famous capital and passing through the most exotic oases of the Egyptian western desert before ending the season in the world’s largest open air museum, the city of Luxor. • The 2013 season of Cross Egypt Challenge included a more challenging route totaling also 2,400 km and included a great mix of roads and stops ranging from modern cities, deserts to coastal resorts. • The 2014 season of Cross Egypt Challenge was the longest and toughest season for the past few years with a route that totaled 3,000 km starting from Alexandria, and gone south by the shore, before crossing the Egyptian Eastern desert then going back to Cairo through the Nile Valley. 44 Cross Egypt Challenge is a series of endurance scooter rallies conducted throughout the most challenging roads and tracks in Egypt, a breathtaking challenge that is equally fascinating for spectators and riders alike that combines the best of adventure traveling and extreme sport. • The 2015 season marked the fifth anniversary of Cross Egypt Challenge and included a special route that started from Alexandria and ended in Cairo after going through the Red Sea Riviera to Luxor and and back. It also included two days rest in Luxor in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the challenge. • The 2016 season of Cross Egypt Challenge returned back to the Egyptian western desert after 2 years of absence and includes a 2,700 km route to be finished in 9 days. The 2016 route started from Alexandria at the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and went through the Western desert, the Nile valley, the Eastern desert and the Red Sea Riviera before heading back north and finishing the season in the most sacred place in Egypt, under the Great Pyramids of Giza. The number of participants in the famous rally has increased over the years from 14 brave participants back in 2011 to a record breaking 75 participants from 14 different countries in 2015. Each season, a carefully planned route is created to offer the perfect adventure experience for global riders. Each route includes a mix of Egypt’s finest spots including modern cities, coastal resorts, historical sites, Eastern and Western deserts and Nile Valley.

45 Dr. Boutros Ghali Exhibition inaugurated at Pharaonic Village

The Pharaonic Village inaugurated the Exhibition of former UN Secretary General Boutros Ghali at Hassan Ragab’s Hall. The Exhibition comprises Boutros Ghali’s personal belongings such as medals, shields, awards obtained as well as 120 personal photos with close acquaintances and senior leaders spanning from early life till his years at the UN

as Secretary General. Dr. Boutros Ghali The Pharaonic Village was established by renowned architect Dr. Hassan Ragab. It is dedicated to creating an entertaining and educational capital. It offers unique exhibits which cover Egypt’s 5000 years of history. The village is built on 490,000 square meters. It is surrounded by 5000 trees tall enough to screen adjacent Part of Boutros Ghali’s belongings at his museum in the Pharaonic vestiges of modern life, making Village. visitors feel as if gone back 5000 years in history. 46 Photos of the former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, at the Boutros-Ghali Museum

The idea of the village occurred to Dr. Hassan Ragab 20 years ago, when he first came to Ya’aqoob Island to grow papyrus necessary for paper fabrication, an art which he brought back to life after it had disappeared for l000 years. Dr. Ragab’s Pharaonic Village began with a dream. Already famous for his rediscovery of the ancient techniques for making papyrus, Dr. Hassan Ragab had begun to ponder the possibility of a living museum with real people, actors in costume and in a realistic locale, taking the place of static exhibits. It was after a visit to Disney World’s EPCOT Center in Orlando, Florida, that his idea took root. Dr. Ragab believed EPCOT “was too computerized -- there was nothing human about it. I began to 47 think, ‘Dare I have real, live people in my village, dressed in the manner of three or four thousand years ago?’” A nobleman’s house and garden, a market, a field for planting and harvesting, a shipyard, other buildings, roads, farms, and at the centerpiece, the gigantic temple of white stone that has become the symbol for the Pharaonic Village. Ten years of work and over six million dollars went into the building of the village. In 1984, Dr. Ragab’s Pharaonic Village formally opened to the public. And today, the village continues to grow and transform itself, making it a wondrous and exciting place, a place whose history is almost as colorful as the one it recreates.

Portrait of Dr. Boutros Ghali. Other Pharaonic Village Museums: • Anwar Al-Sadat Museum • Gamal Abdel-Nasser Museum • Mummification Museum • Pyramids Museum • Islamic Museum • Coptic Museum • Boats Museum • Cleopatra’s Museum • Dr Hassan Ragab’s Museum • Actor Omar Sharif Museum • Dr. Boutros Ghali Museum

48 49 Stars wave goodbye to 38th Cairo International Film Festival

The 38th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) was concluded after a successful week of festivities that honored various prominent directors and actors from all over the world. Numerous celebrities flocked to the Cairo Opera House to ensure that The Festival got the farewell that it deserved. Over the course of nine days, The Festival screened 204 films in three cinema portals around Cairo. From 15-24 November, The Festival welcomed more than 100 film representatives (directors, producers, actors, and actresses) from around the globe to present to and discuss their movies with the Egyptian audience. Sixty films participated in the official selection (International Competition, Festival of Festivals, International Panorama) while other films participated in the Parallel Programs (Prospects of Arab Cinema, Critics’ Week, Cinema of Tomorrow). The Egyptian film “Youm Lel Settat” (A Day for Women) was displayed at the opening of The Festival. It competed in the 60th edition of London Film Festival that was held last October where it was first screened globally in the section entitled

50 Cast of the “Other Side” Film at 38th CIFF “Debate Strand”. competition alongside Arwa Gouda. The The film is starred 16 other films, International Jury and produced by including another was headed by Egyptian actress Egyptian film El-Bar German director “Ilham Shahin” and El-Tany (The Other Christian Petzold directed by Kamla Side) by director whose movies Abu Zekry. Screeing Ali Edrees. The represented of participating two Egyptian films in international films started in the competed against festivals around the following day of the Serbian film globe over the past Opening Ceremony “A Good Wife” by years. Critic Youssef in 11 cinemas in Mirjana Karanović, Sherif Rizkallah, Cairo. The Festival the Romanian film the artistic director International Jury “Dogs” by Bogdan of The Festival, was headed by Mirică, and many explained the two Christian Petzold, others. main selection the German director. Among the Jury criteria for the movies The Egyptian members were this year. The first is film “Youm Lel Jordanian actress the discovery of new Setat” competed in Saba Mubarak and films to be presented the international Egyptian actress in the international

Actor Yehia El-Fakharany accepting the Faten Hamama Award at 38th CIFF 51 competition recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations. The second is to present the most important international films to the Egyptian audience films that do not easily find their way to Egyptian cinema screens. A number of Egyptian films produced in 2015 and 2016 were selected to be exclusively screened with English subtitles. The selected films include “Out of Service” by Mahmoud Kamel, “Water, Meadows and Lovely Face” by Youssri Nassrallah, “Nawarah” by Hala Khalil, “Bitter Sugar” by author Mohamed Abdelmoti and director Hany Khalifa, “Sins of the Flesh” by Khalid Alhajar, “Clash” by Mohamed Diab and “Hepta ... The Last Lecture” by Hadi El-Bagoury. Among the important movies that were selected to participate in The Festival this year is Toni Erdman, which tells the story of a woman (Sandra Hüller) who had to spend time with her estranged father (Peter Simonischek) when he comes for a surprise visit to reconnect with his daughter. The movie participated in Cannes and was received with a standing ovation. It also won the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) prize, before being designated by international film critics as “Film of the Year” at the San Sebastian Festival. Additionally, “It’s Only the End of the World” which won the Grand Prize of the Jury at Cannes was also screened. The movie tells the story of a writer who returns back to his hometown to announce his upcoming death to his family. A number of movies like “The Land of the Enlightened” by Pieter-Jan De Pue, “The Teacher” by Jan Hřebejk, “Ma’ Rosa” by the famous Filipino director Brillante Mendoza, as well as “Where 52 to Invade Next?” by prominent American documentary director Michael Moore which took audience members on a journey around the globe. On the other side, a large number of Egyptian documentaries also took part in The Festival, including “Nasser’s Republic: Making of Modern Egypt” by director Michael Goldman and Waheed Sobhi’s movie “We are Egyptian Armenians”, which documents the history of the Armenian community in Egypt, and their contribution to Egypt’s economy and culture. Another Egyptian documentary is “A Footnote in Ballet History” directed by Hisham Abdel-Khalek, which follows the story of the first generation of Egyptian ballet dancers, specifically the first five girls who danced in the famous Russian Bolshoi Theater. The Spanish documentary “The Last Summer” by director Leire Apellaniz was also screened, giving an account of the recent evolutions in the field of classical cinema. The Festival also hosted eight Oscar-nominated movies, such as “Kills on Wheels” by Attila Till from Hungary and Marko Skop’s “Eva Nova” from Eastern Europe, as well as the Egyptian film “Eshtebaak” (Clash) by Mohamed Diab, which has been chosen to represent Egypt at the Academy Awards. This year, the Faten Hamama Award went to late director Mohammed Khan, ‎prominent Egyptian actor Yehia El-Fakharany, Palestinian producer Hussein El-Qala, as well ‎as director Cheick Oumar Sissoko from Mali.

53 38TH CAIRO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS

At the closing ceremony: “Mimosas” scoops Golden Pyramid, and Nahed El-Sebaie…Best Actress

On Nov. 24, 2016, the closing ceremony of The Festival took place, a splendid celebration that was honored by the presence of art and media stars. Competitions results were announced in attendance of Helmy El-Namnam, the Minister of Culture, Jury Committees’ members and a number of stars who were keen to join the celebration. Cinema Of Tomorrow Awards - Special Mention: To “Ascension” by Pedro Peralta (Portugal) - Special Mention: To “Picnic” by Jure Pavlović ( ) - Special Mention: To “Rosinha” by Gui Campos ( ) - Special Jury Award: To “The other side of doorman river” by Se Woong Bae (South Korea) - Youssef Chahin, Best Short Film Award: to “Eden” by Andrés Ramírez Pulido (Colombia) Critics’ Week Awards - Shadi Abd El-Salam Prize for best film: “Exiled” directed by Davis Simanis (Latvia–Lettonia) - Fathy Farag Prize for best artistic contribution: Pawel Chorzepa’s Photography in the film “Zud” by Marta Minorowicz (Poland)

Prospects of Arab Cinema’s Awards - Certificate of Appreciation for “Suicidal Notions” by Eman El-Naggar (Egypt). - Certificate of Appreciation for “Barakah Meets Barakah” by Mahmoud Sabbagh (KSA) - Special Jury Award presented by Clinic Film Company – Mohamed Hefzy 54 and First Step, of 50,000 EGP to “Fires” by Mohamad Abdulaziz (Syria) - Best Film Award in the Prospect of Arab Cinema competition, of 75,000 EGP presented by Al-Masa Company to “Zizou” (Sweet Smell of Spring) by Ferid Boughedir (Tunisia)

4th Cairo Film Connection Awards 1- 10,000 USD presented by New Century for best project in development went to: Papion On the Watertank by Yehia El-Abdallah. 2- 60,000 EGP presented by Al-Masa for best Egyptian film in development went to: A Condition of Love by Hala Khalil. 3- 50,000 EGP presented by Film Factory for post production services in Egypt went to: Kilo 64 by Amir El Shenawi. 4- Two weeks color grading prize presented by Pixelmob for best project in post production went to: Beirut Terminus by Eli Kamal 5- Script development award presented by Paris Film Initiative went to Five Days Grace by Saleh Nass. 6- Beirut coproduction platform participation award went to A Son by Mehdi Bersaoui 7- ACC award for Rotterdam producers lab participation went to Beirut Terminus by Jana Wehbe.

The FIPRESCI Prize - “Anna’s Life” by Nino Basilia–Georgia, for the emotional portrait of a woman who struggles in a difficult society, and tries to find her way to live with her autistic son. The International Jury Prizes - Prize for Best Artistic Contribution: “WE ARE NEVER ALONE” by Peter Vaclav (). - Naguib Mahfouz Prize for Best Screenplay: “PERFECT STRANGERS” by Paolo Genovese ( Italy). 55 Egyptian actress Nahed el-Sebai receives the best Actress award, during the closing ceremony

- Prize for Best Actress: Nahed El-Sebai for her performance in “A Day For Women” by Kamla Abou Zekri (Egypt). - Prize for Best Actor: Shakib Ben Omar For his performance in “Mimosas” by Oliver Laxe ( Spain – Morocco – France). - The Bronze Pyramid for Best First or Second work of a Director: “Kills On Wheels” by Attila Till ( Hungary). - The Silver Pyramid-Special Jury Prize For Best Director: “The Train OF Salt and Sugar” by Licinio Azevedo (Portugal - – France – – Brazil). - The Golden Pyramid for Best Film, presented to the producer: “MIMOSAS” by Oliver Laxe (Spain – Morocco – France ). The “Faten Hamama” Honorary and Excellence Award Each year, two “Faten Hamama” Awards are being given during Cairo International Film Festival, one for Lifetime Achievement and one for Excellence. Both awards have been designed by Egyptian artist Adam Haneen. The Excellence Award goes to promote one young artist from the Egyptian film industry who has reached a remarkable place among the rising stars.

56 This year the Excellence Award went to German director Christian Petzold, also President of the International Jury, Chinese director Jia Zhang-Ke, and Egyptian actor Ahmed Helmy. The Honorary Award went to Malian director Cheick Oumar Sissoko, Palestinian producer Hussein El-Qala, and late Egyptian director Mohamed Khan. Actor Yehia El-Fakharany received his Award during the Closing Ceremony. Cultural activities featured in CIFF The management of Cairo Film Festival has issued a series of film books, in addition to film shows, symposia and other related activities. Most notable among them are; “Shakespeare for all ages” by critic Essam Zakaria, “A look at Chinese Cinema” by Jan Michael-a renowned French critic-that was issued in Arabic, English and French, in addition to books about the honored personalities; “Helmy…off the flock” by critic Tarek El-Shenawy and “The Search for a Knight, Mohammed Khan Cinema by critic Mahmoud Abdel Shakour, the book was briefed in an English edition. The Festival also screened a number of films competing for Oscar Award-category of Best Foreign Film. CIFF AT A GLANCE “Cinema for Audiences”, the motto glittering on the screens of Cairo charming nights in the 38th CIFF edition Inspired by the motto “Cinema for Audiences”, the 38th session edition of the Cairo International Film Festival was launched on Nov. 15, 2016. It is one of 14 international film festivals recognized by the International Union of Producers; in addition, it is the only one in the Middle East and Africa that is globally classified as “A” according to the classification of International Federation of Producers “FIAPF”. The Festival was established in 1976 as the first international film festival held in the Arab World. The first edition kicked off on August 16, 1976 by the Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics headed by the renowned critic Kamal El-Mallakh who succeeded to manage The Festival for a period of 7 years till 1983, then the Ministry of Culture formed a joint committee of the Association members and the Union of Artistic Syndicates to supervise The Festival in 1985 57 under the leadership of author Saad El-Din Wahba. Within this period, Cairo Film Festival reached a global status. In 1990, the International Federation of Film Producers Associations reported the 3 most important capitals’ festivals; Cairo Film Festival ranked second after London Film Festival while Stockholm Festival came on the third place. This year, Cairo Festival was headed by Dr. Magda Wassef and Youssef Cherif Rizkallah, a film critic and artistic manager of The Festival for the second year respectively. In this respect, Helmy El-Namnam, Minister of Culture issued a decree appointing Mahmoud Hemida, a famous actor, as Honorary President of the 38th edition of Cairo Festival. Noteworthy, Omar El-Sherif, the late international star assumed the honorary presidency throughout the past ten years. Cairo International Film Festival - throughout its past editions -honored many global superstars including; Marcello Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, John Malkovich, Nicolas Cage, Sophia Loren, Claudia Cardinale, Elizabeth Taylor, Alain Delon, Omar El-Sherif and Salma Hayek, in addition to directors including; Robert Wise, Elia Kazan, Oliver Stone, Ismail Merchant and Mostafa El-Akkad. This edition, furthermore, witnessed extraordinary attendance of more than 100 directors, producers and actors welcomed in Cairo to present and discuss their films screened in The Festival. Over 60 guests took part in the official programs while the rest participated in the non-official. Remarkably the number of guests this time has tripled compared to the number of last edition. Most film directors were keen to come to Cairo. Over ten symposia were daily organized, in which filmmakers and stars deliberated with the Egyptian audience. The attendants of the Festival included some figures like; Min Bahdour, the Nepalese film director, honored with the Critics’ Week Award in Venice Film Festival, American Michael Goldman, famous documentary films director; Algerian film director Karim Traidia, Czech film director Peter Faklaf; in addition to honored stars, members of Jury Committees and participants in The Festival’s symposia and events.

58 Egypt’s Arab Music Festival celebrates Silver Jubilee

Omar Khairat is one of the most applauded and laurelled composers and pianists in the Middle East

Between 31 October and 13 November, the 25th edition of Egypt’s Arab Music Festival this year hosted over 50 musicians from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Morocco and Tunisia. On the traditional Arabic melodies (maqamat) of Sika, Nahawand, Saba and Hijaz, Egypt celebrated Silver Jubilee of the Arab Music Festival, the greatest of music festivals in the Arab world honored by the presence of elite of Egyptian and traditional Arab music stars. On October 31 evening, at the Grand Theatre of Egypt’s Opera House, the opening ceremony of the 25th edition of the Arab Music Festival was launched in attendance of Helmy El-Namnam-Minister of Culture, Head of the Arab Music Festival and Head of the Egyptian Opera House Dr. Inas Abdel Dayem and The Festival Director Gehan Morsi. The Festival was primarily established by veteran music critic Mahmoud El-Hefny in 1932 and revived by great Egyptian voices such as Umm Kolthoum, the “Star of the East” and most famous singer in the Arab World. In the eighties, late renowned musician Ratiba El-Hefny, daughter 59 of Mahmoud El-Hefny, followed the steps of her father and revived The Festival after she became director of Opera House. Thus it is no wonder that she topped the list of honored personalities in the current edition of The Festival that had been under her leadership till she died in 2013. In addition to Ratiba El-Hefny, a number of other figures who enriched the artistic and musical 60 Iraqi musician and oud player Nasser Shamma life in Egypt and Arab World were honored with The Festival’s Oscar and Certificates of Merit, including; late musician Abdel Halim Nowera, founder of Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble for Arab Music, international musician and composer Omar Khairat, Lebanese singer Assi El-Hellani, Algerian composer Salim Dada, Iraqi singer and composer Farouk Helal, Bahraini musician Dr. Mubarak Negm, Egyptian researcher Dr. Soheir Abdel Azim, Egyptian poet and columnist Fawzi Ibrahim, Egyptian singer Tarek Fouad, Egyptian flautist Abdullah Helmy, Egyptian cellist Khalid Ibrahim, Egyptian vocalist Hossam Sakr and Egyptian calligraphist Essam Abdel Fattah. The opening ceremony which was held in the Opera House Grand Theatre, started with Arab songs by Talent Development Centre team accompanied by Takht-east, (an oriental musical band) under the supervision of Mr. Abdel Wahab El-Sayed, followed by the unveiling of a 250-page handwritten manuscript by Al-Farabi (872- 950) who wrote a notable book on music titled “Kitab al-Musiqi al-Kabir” (The Great Book of Music) on the definition of rhymes and the origin of music, alongside with an exhibition of a collection of rare musical instruments dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries displayed for the first time in the Festival, and the screening of a documentary film called “Arab Music Festival…25 Years of Innovation”. The events of the Arab Music Festival lasted for 14 days from (Oct, 31-Nov, 13) on the theatres of Opera House in Cairo, Alexandria and Damanhur. The Festival’s agenda included 37 concerts with the participation of 83 artists from 8 Arab countries, namely; (Egypt-Palestine-Morocco-Lebanon-Tunisia-Iraq-Jordan and Syria). 61

Egyptian singer Mai Farouk Egyptian singer Hany Shaker Egyptian singer Angham Among the most prominent Arab singers who participated in The Festival; Syrian Safwan Bahlawan, Moroccan Fouad Zabadi, Lebanese Marwan Khoury, Palestinian Mohammed Assaf, Jordanian Nedaa Shararah, Tunisian Shaima Hilali and Syrian Asala. Participants from Egypt are; Hany Shaker, Mohammed El-Helw, Iman El- Bahr Darwish, Medhat Saleh, Tarek Fouad, Angham, Ghada Ragab, Nadia Mustafa, Mai Farouk and Riham Abdel Hakeem. The Festivalcoincided with the Arab Music Conference which discussed over 5 days about 36 researches from 17 Arab countries including Egypt. The scientific committee of The Festival chose “Aesthetics of Arab Music between Tradition and Status Quo” as the motto of the Conference. Furthermore, The Festival presented in this edition 25 new young voices as a gesture marking its Silver Jubilee. On November, 13, the closing ceremony was held with the participation of singer Mai Farouk who performed a sophisticated piece of music accompanied by Maestro Said Kamal’s band, then prizes were awarded by Helmy El-Namnam, Minister of Culture and Dr. Inas Abdel Dayem, Head of the Egyptian Opera House to winners of music and singing competitions that were held on the sideline of the 25th edition of the Arab Music Festival. The winners were given Certificates of Merit and monetary rewards. The competition grouped more than 150 competitors from various Arab countries.

62 Syrian singer Asala performing at the Festival 63 Al-Ahly wins African Handball League for fifth time

Again, Al-Ahly has in the finals. This is Morocco, for the raised Egypt’s flag the fifth time for the African Super Cup high in the African Red Devils to win the title to be held April sky. Al-Ahly handball title after they won 2017 in Morocco. The team clinched the the trophy in 1985, winner will take part in African Handball 1993, 1994, and the IHF (International Champions League, 2012. Al-Ahly will Handball Federation) held in Ouagadougou, play their Egyptian Super Globe, an Burkina Faso from rivals Zamalek, who international handball October 21-30, earlier won the African competition between 2016, after defeating Championship of the champion clubs their Tunisian rivals Handball Cup Winners, from continental Esperance 26/23 held in Laayoune, confederations. 64 Egypt’s karate team wins gold, silver and bronze in world championship

Egyptian karate champions Giana Farouk, Sarah Assem, Omar Abdel Rahman have made history after they secured gold and silver medals in the 2016 World Championship, held in Linz, Austria. Giana Farouk landed gold after beating her French rival in the Omar Abdel Rahman finals of +60 kg Kumite competitions for females under 21. Sarah Assem is the first ever Egyptian woman to reach the finals of Kata, though she lost to her Japanese rival, she made history and clinched silver. Omar 65 Abdel Rahman won silver after losing the finals to his Azerbaijan world champion in the men’s 75 kg competitions. Radwa Sayyed won bronze in the women’s 50 kg competitions. The Egyptian Kumite team, composed of four women champions, landed bronze after beating Italy 1/0. Sarah Assem Egyptian champion Salma Alaa clinched bronze in people with special needs contests.

Giana Farouk: Profile

Giana Farouk started karate when she was six years old at Al- Ahly club in Egypt. She joined the junior karate team in 2009 and won gold in the African and Radwa Sayyed the Mediterranean tournaments. In 2011, she clinched gold in the junior karate championship in Malaysia and again she won gold in Spain in 2013. In 2015, she won the Under-21 World Championship title in Indonesia. Should karate be enlisted in the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, Giana Farouk will surely win a medal. Giana Farouk

66 Omar Assar wins table tennis title in Morocco

Omar Assar For the second time in a row, Egyptian champion Omar Assar won the African Table Tennis Championship for men, held in Morocco October 31, 2016, after beating his Nigerian rival in the finals with a score of 4/3. Omar Assar won the title for the first time in Cairo in 2015. By doing so, Omar Ahmed Saleh Assar won an overall of three gold medals for table tennis in 2016 in singles and team play. Moreover, teammates Dina Musharraf and Yousra Helmy have won gold for the women’s table tennis in the same championship; while teammates Ahmed Saleh and al-Sayyed Lashine won silver in the men’s Al-Sayyed Lashine competitions. 67