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Egypt President Defends National Projects, Warns of Skeptics | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) waves during the opening ceremony of the new Suez Canal, in Ismailia, Egypt, August 6, 2015. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh


Cairo- Egypt President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi defended mega projects carried out by the government, arguing that the skeptics were seeking to undermine the will of Egyptians.

During his participation in the first anniversary of the inauguration of an expansion of the Suez Canal, al-Sisi said that after the digging works a slight trouble occurred due to reduction of international trade and recession of world economy.

Suez Canal project is anticipated to push the stumbling Egyptian economy. Since its inauguration, the project represented a controversial topic with regards to its economic feasibility amid official data that reveals that the canal fell short to reach its maximum capacity throughout the past years.

Some Egyptian officials promised that this project will have massive revenues, knowing that it was constructed in one year and it cost USD4 billion (EGP31.3 billion) according to governmental documents.

“There will be skepticism with every achievement. This ceremony is held to assure you that the project will see success,” President said.

Al-Sisi called for differentiating between negative and constructive criticism; he also urged the state-run institutions to communicate with the media and the Egyptians.

“Enemies are criticizing national projects for the sake of disappointing the Egyptians”, he added. President addressed a group of youths during his tour in the factory, “Projects are an opportunity to the youths; you should be aware of all occurrences taking place in your country”.

At the end, al-Sisi thanked the project staff and highlighted the importance of concluding the project within the determined schedule. He added that all of those working in this project are contributing in a huge national achievement for Egypt.