Latest news with #Abdel-Rashid
The Star
16-07-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Roundup: Heatwave grips Egypt, prompts widespread warnings
CAIRO, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Egypt is experiencing an exceptional heatwave, with high temperatures and humidity posing significant risks to public health and impacting key sectors such as agriculture and industry. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority said Wednesday's temperatures on the northern coasts range from 31 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees, in Greater Cairo from 37 degrees to 38 degrees, and in the southern region from 40 degrees to 44 degrees. The severe heat is expected to persist in the coming days, with both daytime and nighttime temperatures forecast to rise by up to 3 degrees Celsius above seasonal averages, according to Director of Analysis and Forecasts at the Egyptian Meteorological Authority Mahmoud Shahin. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY Ibrahim Darwish, professor of Agriculture at Menoufia University, said that rising temperatures pose a serious challenge to food and water security in agricultural countries. He told Xinhua that high temperatures lead to a decrease in agricultural productivity due to their negative impact on photosynthesis, respiration, and biosynthesis within plants. Darwish noted that the heatwave is likely to alter planting and ripening times, as high temperatures accelerate the plant's life cycle, leading to premature and incomplete ripening, which in turn prevents sufficient dry matter formation, especially in grains. Darwish added that the heatwave may also increase the incidence of insect pests and plant diseases, damage plant tissues, and inhibit root development. Crops require more water to compensate for these effects, reducing water-use efficiency and increasing strain on water resources, he added. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY Engineer Ahmed Abdel-Rashid, a factory manager for air conditioners at Haier Egypt Environmental Complex, said high temperatures will result in a decrease in work efficiency and raise the risk of workplace accidents. Abdel-Rashid pointed out that the heatwave will also lead to higher electricity consumption due to increased reliance on cooling systems, and raise the risk of breakdowns in heat-sensitive machinery, potentially leading to production delays or shutdowns. However, Abdel-Rashid pointed out potential upsides, including improved solar energy output from increased solar radiation. The heatwave may also spur demand for air conditioners, fans, and insulation materials -- boosting local markets and creating opportunities for innovation in sustainable cooling technologies and energy-efficient building solutions. PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS Magdy Badran, a member of the Egyptian Society of Allergy and Immunology, said among the most significant negative health impacts citizens may experience during the current heatwave are heat stress and heatstroke. "These are among the most common health risks in hot weather, resulting from the body losing large amounts of water and salts due to excessive sweating, leading to dizziness, headache, nausea, and general fatigue. If not promptly addressed, the condition can escalate to heatstroke," he told Xinhua. He added that the exacerbation of chronic diseases is a common outcome of continuous exposure to high temperatures, noting that heart patients may experience an increased burden due to fluid loss and sudden drops in blood pressure. "Respiratory patients, such as those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, may face greater difficulty breathing due to increased humidity or heat-related air pollution. Similarly, patients with high blood pressure are susceptible to severe drops in blood pressure due to excessive sweating," Bardan warned.
Borneo Post
30-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
China's home appliance giant empowers local talent, fuels industrial growth in Egypt
Staff members work at the workshop of Haier Egypt Electric Appliances Co. Limited at Haier Egypt Ecological Park, in Sharqia Province, Egypt, June 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) CAIRO (July 1): Tarek Baligh, a 27-year-old graduate in Chinese language, is now the operations manager at China's home appliance giant Haier's air conditioner factory in Egypt. He credits the company's immersive learning environment for his successful transition into a technical role in air conditioning manufacturing. 'After joining the company five years ago, my income and professional skills improved, and I gained experience in project implementation,' Baligh told Xinhua in fluent Chinese. The factory sits within the 200,000-square-meter Haier Egypt Ecological Park, officially opened in May 2024 in the 10th of Ramadan City, located in Egypt's northeastern Sharqia Province. The complex serves as a testament to the company's profound influence on local talent development and the expansion of Egypt's industrial sector. Baligh revealed that Chinese experts and teachers helped him understand the technology, and he learned little by little in each department. 'These accumulated experiences brought me significant gains,' Baligh said, recalling his mentor, Wu Changming, who patiently explained the intricacies of air conditioning components like evaporators and condensers, even drawing diagrams to aid his understanding. Baligh then paid it forward, sharing his newfound knowledge with his Egyptian colleagues. Haier's commitment to fairness and meritocracy is another aspect, Baligh said, noting that the company provides employees with a fair working platform. 'Whoever performs well can get promoted,' he said. The man overseeing much of this ambitious expansion of Haier is engineer Ahmed Abdel-Rashid, the air conditioner factory manager at Haier Egypt Ecological Park, which is being developed in two phases. He said the first phase, completed with remarkable speed, boasts four operational factories: a supporting industries factory, an air conditioner factory, a television factory, and a washing machine factory. Abdel-Rashid, drawing on 20 years of experience in various companies, lauded the unique approach of Chinese firms. 'They pay great attention to human resources, building their capabilities, and training them under the guidance of groups of Chinese experts who focused on Chinese work patterns and styles, transferring expertise and skills to Egyptian cadres and workers and qualifying them,' he explained. Abdel-Rashid said the complex currently employs 1,200 staff members, with plans to significantly expand the workforce to thousands of employees, including administrative staff, engineers, and technicians, once the complex is fully operational. Haier's strategic vision extends beyond Egypt's borders, he said, pointing out that the company aims to serve the African continent and Middle Eastern markets. Yang Linping, CEO of Haier Egypt Electric Appliances Co. Limited, said the Egyptian government's ambition to establish Egypt as a regional hub for home appliance manufacturing aligns with Haier's strategy. 'From March 2024 to June 2025, Haier air conditioners have already reached the top three in the market share in Egypt, with televisions and washing machines also showing rapid growth,' he revealed. Yang stressed that this strong performance underpins projections for further local production, with refrigerators and kitchen appliances expected to be manufactured domestically in the third quarter of next year, expressing full confidence in Haier's ability to deliver solutions for Egyptian users. Besides, 'The Chinese team has actively guided and trained their Egyptian counterparts on the latest technologies, a move set to bolster Egypt's home appliance industry significantly,' Yang told Xinhua. – Xinhua air conditioning China Egypt foreign workers Haier
