Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has instructed government agencies to work in a concerted manner to achieve the state's goal of increasing the area of productive agricultural lands and building modern urban communities in North Sinai and the New Valley.

El-Sisi issued the directives during a meeting held on Sunday with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and other officials to follow up on the development ventures in North Sinai and the southern valley areas of East Owainat and Toshka, according to a presidential statement.

The president was briefed on the efforts exerted by the different government bodies to plan the infrastructure of these areas, particularly for electricity, water, and agriculture resources.

He also was briefed on the efforts to enhance the axes of farming and irrigation by digging water channels to transfer water from treatment plants in the west of the Suez Canal to the east.

The meeting also reviewed updates on developing the cities of the North Sinai governorate, especially El-Arish city, through constructing a number of new axes, upgrading and expanding the existing roads, as well as renewing facilities and buildings and achieving the optimal use of lands.