President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi asserted the nation can realize progress only through building and reform and not sabotage, insult, destruction, doubt or injustice.
The President was speaking in comments during the inauguration of the “Story of the Homeland..Between Vision And Achievement” conference on Saturday.
“That is what has been attained and you still have a chance for change during the upcoming presidential election,” the president said.
President Sisi pointed out to the fulfillment of the New Suez Canal project and said the venture was carried out at a time when rumors were refuted, in addition to combating terrorists as well.
“There are many politicians here who say that I have a good chance in the upcoming presidential election… Everyone will get what God had destined for them. We must fight only for our country,” Sisi said during the opening of the “Story of the Homeland..Between Vision And Achievement” conference on Saturday.
“If hunger and deprivation are the price for building, development, and progress, so be it… We want to have our own position on the world map in a country that is 95 percent desert,” Sisi stressed.
He warned against evil people who work on sabotaging Egypt’s recent achievements by promoting lies and fake news.
Recalling the New Suez Canal project and the feelings of hopelessness and lack of confidence that prevailed among Egyptians back then, Sisi noted that the project was an attempt to unite people.
He said Ashraf Sulaiman, then-minister of investment, had warned about limited financial resources at the time of the project.
“I said to him, ‘I want to give people hope.’ Back then, interest rate was 10.5 per cent. I said we will allow people to make their contributions to the project through investment certificates at a 12 per cent interest rate, so that they feel they were putting their money into a big project,” President Sisi said.
He thanked Minister of Transport Kamel al-Wazir for his diligent efforts in this respect.
Before the project, the Suez Canal revenues were about $4.5 billion; by the end of this year, the canal revenues are expected to hit a record high of $10.5 billion, with experts predicting them to reach $12 billion during 2024 and 2025, Sisi pointed out.
He also thanked Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly for his strenuous efforts, noting that all the State’s achievements had been made despite terrorist threats.
“The State will never forget the families of martyrs,” Sisi asserted.
