logo
El-Sisi encourages private sector investment in land cultivation during harvesting season event - Society

El-Sisi encourages private sector investment in land cultivation during harvesting season event - Society

Al-Ahram Weekly21-05-2025
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi attended the 2025 wheat harvesting season event on Wednesday, calling on the private sector to invest in the 800,000 feddans that the Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development Authority plans to complete to make the land suitable for agriculture.
"The land is available to you. The state has already made significant progress in preparing it. All that is required of you is to work on bringing the agricultural land into the production phase, now that the necessary infrastructure has been provided," El-Sisi said, addressing the private sector and investors.
During the event, the president noted that the challenges in converting this land into farmland are not limited to financing but also to implementation.
President El-Sisi said preparing this land for agriculture requires basic infrastructure, including energy, roads, and an electricity network.
He also highlighted that if another year passes without cultivating 600,000 feddans, we are missing out on a EGP 30 billion opportunity.
'The average income per feddan is about EGP 50,000. Therefore, the 800,000 feddans which are expected to be brought into service could generate around EGP 30 billion annually. We must not miss the opportunity of this resource by delaying its entry into the production phase, especially considering that agriculture also improves soil quality.'
Moreover, the president noted that investing in this land will help improve its quality and the expertise of those working it, while creating around 600,000 job opportunities for citizens.
The Future of Egypt project, costing EGP 8 billion, is part of the state's plan to expand agricultural land and increase agricultural production.
It aims to provide high-quality agricultural products at affordable prices for citizens, achieve self-sufficiency in strategic commodities, and export the surplus.
The project is located along the new axis of Rod El-Farag–El-Dabaa road. It is divided into 60 linear roads and 35 crossroads, divided into equal plots, each 1,000 feddans.
Its location is one of the main strategic advantages due to the availability of manpower and the easy access to production requirements such as fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, and equipment.
This also facilitates delivering the final products to the main markets and land and air ports for export.
*More to follow ...
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

El-Sisi commends UK stance on Palestinian statehood in phone call with Starmer - Foreign Affairs
El-Sisi commends UK stance on Palestinian statehood in phone call with Starmer - Foreign Affairs

Al-Ahram Weekly

time7 hours ago

  • Al-Ahram Weekly

El-Sisi commends UK stance on Palestinian statehood in phone call with Starmer - Foreign Affairs

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi commended PM Keir Starmer for his recent announcements that the UK would recognize the State of Palestine in September if Israel does not immediately agree to ending the war and blockade in Gaza. During a phone call on Thursday with the UK PM, the Egyptian president described the recent UK step as a "positive impetus" toward securing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. This includes their right to an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders, El-Sisi added, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian presidency. Furthermore, the Egyptian president reiterated that a just and comprehensive two-state solution is the only path to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. President El-Sisi also shared with PM Starmer Egypt's vision for de-escalating the conflict in the Gaza Strip, the statement noted. Additionally, he highlighted Egypt's continuous efforts to secure a ceasefire, expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid, and facilitate the release of captives and detainees. President El-Sisi also urged that the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip begin as soon as possible and reaffirmed Egypt's firm rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians from their lands. On Monday, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced that Egypt is committed to organizing an international conference for the reconstruction of Gaza once the Israeli war on the Palestinian Strip ends. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Starmer announced the UK will formally recognize the State of Palestine in September unless Israel takes various "substantive steps" in Gaza, including agreeing to a ceasefire. Starmer told his ministers that London will formally recognize a Palestinian state in September if the Israeli government has not taken the steps demanded, his office said. They include ending "the appalling situation in Gaza", reaching a ceasefire, making "clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank", and committing "to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution," it added. "I have always said that we will recognize a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution," Starmer later said in a Downing Street address. "With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act." The UK is one of several Western countries that have recently indicated their intent to recognize Palestinian statehood. Last week, France announced its intent to recognize Palestinian statehood at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September. Canada and Malta made a similar announcement on Thursday. This shift comes amid growing global outrage over the images of Palestinians dying of hunger from starvation due to a five-month-long Israeli blockade on all food, water, and medicine to the strip. It also comes amid increasing international pressure on Israel to end the war in Gaza and cease its settlement expansion in the West Bank. To date, 147 of the 193 UN member states—roughly three-quarters—have recognised the Palestinian state. Since the outbreak of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, several countries such as Norway, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia. Since 2012, Palestine has been granted non-member observer status at the UN There have even been calls for Palestine to be granted full membership to the UN, a move that would grant it the right to vote and fully participate. In its genocidal war in Gaza since October 2023, Israel has killed 60,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 150,000, mostly women and children. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:

Formula One: Ferrari renews team principal Vasseur's contract despite difficult season - Omni sports
Formula One: Ferrari renews team principal Vasseur's contract despite difficult season - Omni sports

Al-Ahram Weekly

time13 hours ago

  • Al-Ahram Weekly

Formula One: Ferrari renews team principal Vasseur's contract despite difficult season - Omni sports

Ferrari handed team principal Fred Vasseur a new contract on Thursday in a sign of 'trust in Fred's leadership' following speculation about his future, with the Italian team yet to win a Formula 1 race in 2025. In an announcement ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari said the new deal was a 'multiple-year contract,' without giving further details. Lewis Hamilton gave Vasseur his backing last month after reports in Italian media suggested his job could be in question. Ferrari last won a race in October and, while it's second in the constructors' championship behind McLaren, neither Hamilton nor Charles Leclerc has consistently been able to challenge the leading McLaren drivers this year. 'Today we want to recognize what has been built and commit to what still needs to be achieved,' Ferrari chief executive Benedetto Vigna said in a statement. 'It reflects our trust in Fred's leadership — a trust rooted in shared ambition, mutual expectations and clear responsibility. We move forward with determination and focus, united in our pursuit of the level of performance Ferrari has to aim for.' Vasseur joined Ferrari as team principal at the start of 2023. He was Hamilton's team boss in junior series in the mid-2000s and played a role in convincing the seven-time champion to leave Mercedes for Ferrari for 2025 in a move which shook up F1. Vasseur also previously worked with Renault and Sauber in F1. Hamilton, who hasn't finished on the podium in a Grand Prix race since joining the Italian team, has been holding meetings with senior executives to push for improvements and a voice in developing the team's car for 2026. Next year brings sweeping changes to the regulations. 'I'm grateful for the trust Ferrari continues to place in me. This renewal is not just a confirmation — it's a challenge to keep progressing, to stay focused, and to deliver,' Vasseur said. "Over the past 30 months, we've laid strong foundations, and now we must build on them with consistency and determination. We know what's expected, and we're all fully committed to meeting those expectations and taking the next step forward together. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:

Gold Prices Rise Amid Global Pressures and Shifting Egyptian Consumer Behavior
Gold Prices Rise Amid Global Pressures and Shifting Egyptian Consumer Behavior

See - Sada Elbalad

time13 hours ago

  • See - Sada Elbalad

Gold Prices Rise Amid Global Pressures and Shifting Egyptian Consumer Behavior

Waleed Farouk Gold prices rose in both local and international markets during Thursday's trading, driven by a weakening U.S. dollar, falling U.S. Treasury yields, and market anticipation ahead of key inflation data expected later today. Saeed Embabi, Executive Director of the "iSagha" platform for online gold and jewelry trading, stated that local gold prices increased by approximately EGP 10 compared to Wednesday's close, with 21-karat gold reaching EGP 4,530 per gram. Meanwhile, the global ounce price rose by around $37 to hit $3,308. The price of 24-karat gold stood at EGP 5,177, 18-karat at EGP 3,883, and 14-karat at EGP 3,020, while the gold pound recorded EGP 36,240. Yesterday, gold had declined by about EGP 45 per gram, dropping from EGP 4,565 to EGP 4,520, despite a slight global increase in the ounce price from $3,271 to $3,325. Fed Decisions and Global Market Impact Embabi pointed out that today's price rebound followed a sharp decline at the end of Wednesday's session, influenced by the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates at 4.25%-4.50%, which triggered a wave of selling in international markets. Despite the Fed's hold on interest rates, inflation concerns persist. In its statement, the Fed slightly adjusted its economic outlook, noting a slowdown in growth during the first half of the year. An internal division also emerged in the Federal Open Market Committee, with members Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller voting in favor of a rate cut. Despite this divergence, markets still anticipate two potential rate cuts in 2025, with the first possibly occurring in September, driven by slowing growth and weakening consumer spending. Fed Chair Jerome Powell, however, provided no clear guidance regarding the September meeting, emphasizing that it's still "too early" to determine the direction of monetary policy. Market attention now turns to new tariff policies and upcoming inflation data, particularly the Fed's preferred inflation gauge—Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE)—set to be released later Thursday. Trump's Tariffs Boost Demand for Gold On another front, newly announced protectionist measures by U.S. President Donald Trump have contributed to a surge in global gold demand. The measures include reinstated tariffs on imports from South Korea, Brazil, and India, along with the removal of exemptions for low-value shipments. Key actions include a 15% tariff on South Korean goods and a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports. Despite Trump's optimistic remarks about trade talks with China, markets remain cautious about potential disruptions ahead of the August 1 deadline for reciprocal trade agreements. Shifting Egyptian Consumer Behavior Toward Gold On the domestic front, Embabi highlighted World Gold Council data for Q2 2025, which shows clear shifts in how Egyptian consumers approach gold—both in traditional jewelry purchases and in direct investment through bullion and coins. He explained that these shifts reflect a changing economic landscape. Gold is no longer viewed solely as a stable, traditional safe haven, but rather as an asset whose role is being reassessed amid economic volatility. Jewelry Purchases Decline Purchases of gold jewelry in Egypt fell to approximately 5.7 tons in Q2—down 17% year-on-year and also lower than the 6.4 tons recorded in Q1. Embabi attributed the decline to weak consumer purchasing power, as the U.S. dollar surpassed EGP 50 locally, and global price volatility caused many to delay buying decisions. Purchases are now driven mostly by necessity (such as for weddings), or through selling existing holdings to capitalize on price differences. He added that this behavior is no longer unusual but rather represents a broader trend, as rising living costs have eroded the culture of long-term savings among Egyptian households. Cautious Return to Bullion and Coins In terms of direct investment, bullion and coin purchases declined 23% year-on-year to 5.9 tons in Q2. However, there was a noticeable increase compared to Q1, which saw 4.7 tons sold. Embabi noted this reflects a gradual return of individual investors to gold as a hedging tool, especially given the lack of attractive investment alternatives, with the real estate market stagnating and inflation making it difficult for financial instruments to offer real returns. He emphasized that gold is no longer purchased solely for long-term savings but is increasingly used as a dynamic tool for short- to medium-term risk management. Egyptian consumers are now more market-savvy, monitoring prices closely, postponing or making decisions to buy or sell based on perceived value. Embabi expects cautious demand for jewelry to persist, while bullion and coin sales may experience a mild recovery if prices continue to rise or stabilize. He concluded by stressing that gold will remain ingrained in the Egyptian mindset as a store of value, but the way it is utilized has evolved—clearly reflected in both recent data and consumer behavior patterns. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store