Mr. / Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, Minister of Industry , Trade ,and small and medium-sized enterprises stressed that the opening of the new Suez Canal is a historic event and And a symbol of the economic renaissance in Egypt, and restoring the strategic role of Egypt on the map of regional and international trade.

He added that the Suez Canal expansion is the engine of a vital economic activity in Egypt and the surrounding region, and also an incentive to support the industrial development in the surrounding of the Suez Canal. It is planned to convert approximately 76 000 km which is an area of land around the canal into industrial center based on the latest global systems this along with port development system through the expansion of Sokhna port and East of Port Said Port along with developing a number of other ports in this region to meet the expected increase in shipping volume and rates, which will double during the next phase.

He also held a number of meetings on the sidelines of the new canal opening to discuss supporting and promoting joint cooperation relations in trade and economic fields and to review the available investment opportunities in Egypt to increase investments.