The inspection tour was attended by Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport; Dr. Sherif Farouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade; Lieutenant General Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority; Walid Gamal El-Din, Chairman of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone); Dr. Amr Othman, Deputy Governor of Port Said; Major General Ahmed Al-Azazy, Head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority; and a number of officials.
Madbouly stressed that today's tour included an inspection of a number
of development projects east and west of Port Said, within the framework and
jurisdiction of the SCZone. He noted that he made sure to stop midway through
the tour, while in East Port Said, in Sinai, to confirm what was clarified and
explained during the press conference held following the Cabinet meeting a few
days ago.
He reiterated that the SCZone has 14 industrial developers, with 14 similar contracts already executed. The Abu Dhabi Ports contract is expected to be the 15th, and it will be the 15th overall. However, it is the second largest in the East Port Said area, as the remaining 13 contracts are located in the Sokhna area. He noted that these companies are already present on the land of the first company, the first industrial developer, which is already present and operating in the same manner and under the same contract terms. This company is the East Port Said Development Company.
He pointed out that the NERIC Railway Industries Factory is a large plant
that produces all railway locomotives. It is a very important industrial
complex for deepening the production of all railway vehicles that will support metro
projects, tram, regular trains, and the high-speed electric train project.
Therefore, part of industrial development is that Egypt is localizing this
industry here. Production of the first vehicle from this factory will begin
next July, two months from now. The first complete train will leave this
factory next year and enter the Alexandria metro project. He noted that
discussions took place during the factory inspection, and the importance of
accelerating production rates was emphasized to expedite the implementation of
the Alexandria metro project, which is of great importance to the city's
citizens.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the NERIC Railway Industries Factory is a large plant that produces all railway locomotives. It is a very important industrial complex for deepening the production of all railway vehicles that will support the subway, tram, regular trains, and the high-speed electric train project. Therefore, part of industrial development is that we are localizing this industry here. Production of the first vehicle from this factory will begin next July, two months from now. The first complete train will leave this factory next year and will be used for the Alexandria metro project.
He explained that the land was saline, with soft and highly saline soil.
He noted that a previous visit to the area, accompanied by Al-Wazir, and Al-Azazy,
revealed significant challenges. The nature of the soil posed an obstacle to
the movement of equipment, as any equipment placed on it would sink due to the
soil. He emphasized that the most difficult challenge was treating the soil in
coordination with state agencies, as the Engineering Authority is making
exceptional efforts to rehabilitate the soil throughout the entire East Port
Said area to make it suitable for development.
He also stressed the state's interest in rehabilitating and developing
the area, given its unique global location as the meeting point of the Suez
Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, in addition to the presence of ports east and
west of Port Said. He also pointed to the presence of a major development
project in this area, explaining that the idea for the project and its
designation as a special economic zone dates back nearly thirty years, but
actual implementation on the ground began only about ten years ago,
transforming ideas into effective and practical steps on the ground. This is
what we see today in the tangible results of this development.
Dr. Madbouly also explained that the contracts in this area are
industrial developer contracts, whereby the state cooperates with a major
company targeting a plot of land to be treated to improve its soil. The
developer is responsible for planning and dividing the land, in addition to
equipping internal facilities, constructing factories and buildings, and
operating the factories. He emphasized that this approach is currently being
applied at East Port Said Company, and will be applied with Abu Dhabi Ports
Company or any other industrial developer operating in the area. This model is
also considered the fastest way to develop this area, attract foreign direct
investment, and enhance private sector participation in the development
process.
He concluded his speech, stressing that he was keen during his presence today, Saturday to provide another clarification on the ground to complement what was presented during the press conference held last Wednesday. The aim was to clarify matters on the ground and provide an opportunity to view the nature of the region, the reforms, and the ongoing development projects, in addition to reviewing the overall vision and development goals. He also thanked those in attendance and called for the tour to continue.