Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the event on Thursday (Photo:Egyptian presidency)
During the second day of the 'Story of a Nation' event in Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi continued with presenting a balance sheet of the achievements made by his administration over the past four years, stressing the progress in improving infrastructure and energy production.
The Story of a Nation event, which started on Wednesday evening and is set to last for three days, is being held at Cairo Masa Hotel under the auspices of the president.
The president said that infrastructure projects have provided thousands of jobs.
El-Sisi said that infrastructure in Egypt was in poor condition, requiring immediate action from the state, adding that the fuel and electricity shortages that had plagued the country in recent years have been resolved.
El-Sisi said that the under-construction ring road connecting Cairo, Giza, Qalioubiya, Menoufiya and Sharqiya governorates would be inaugurated on 30 June.
The president also said that production of natural gas from Egypt's giant offshore gas field Zohr had initially been slated to begin in 2019, but that he pressed for operation to start in December 2017.
El-Sisi said that there had previously been no gas exploration projects in Egyptian territorial waters in the Mediterranean due to a lack of clearly demarcated borders between Egypt and its neighbouring countries; a situation which has since been resolved.
The president also said that by the end of 2018, Egypt will no longer import fuel from abroad, and that the country aspires to serve as a bridge to transfer electricity between Africa, Asia and Europe.
He added that fuel imports are currently costing Egypt $1.3 billion monthly.
He also said that foreign investments in energy and gas in Egypt took a hit between 2010 and 2013, but have since returned after confidence was restored in foreign investors.
Short link: