Sisi opens first green smart multi-purpose terminal “Tahya Misr” at Alexandria Port

16 / 06 / 2023

• news
• The New Republic

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi inaugurated on Thursday the first green smart multi-purpose terminal “Tahya Misr” at Alexandria Port and raised the flag of Wadi Al-Melouk Vessel, the largest and most modern ship of the Egyptian merchant fleet.

This falls within the framework of Egypt’s plan to become a global logistical and commercial hub through mega national projects that include the construction of a number of logistical axes and corridors linking the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea and Sinai.

Moreover, Egypt established modern ports and industrial zones with upgraded administrative and customs systems to increase competitiveness in accordance with international standards in order to achieve an increase in national income and to provide job opportunities for the youth.

As a green facility, Tahya Misr Terminal uses up-to-date methods in shipping, stevedore and trading goods.

President of the World Environment Party Doumit Kamel said the terminal uses clean technology within the framework of Egypt’s efforts to protect the environment.

The terminal will cut greenhouse gas emissions, thus curbing air and water pollution, he said.

The terminal will help place Egypt on the map of countries having ports with modern international performance, especially in light of the world’s interest in adopting eco-friendly practices.

Thus, it will raise Alexandria port rating globally and create about 3500 direct and indirect jobs.

During the inauguration, President Sisi said it was an exigency to upgrade Alexandria port which was not developed for 25 years.

Egypt should benefit from its unique geographical location to become an artery of global trade with about 12-13 percent of it passing by Egypt.

President Sisi said that huge amount of funds and efforts are needed for better state condition.

Sisi noted that adding 18-kilometer docks to the port in less than two years required great efforts and pressurized state resources to be accomplished as soon as possible.

The Alexandria port is set to become “the pearl of ports in the Mediterranean Sea,” Transport Minister Kamel Wazir said at the event.

The terminal station includes half a million square meters of trading yards and is divided into three trading stations; containers, general cargo, and cars. The terminal can handle 12 to 15 million tons of cargo annually.

The president also inaugurated via video-conference other projects, including the 6th of October Dry Port, as well as development work at the Salloum Land Port and Damietta Port’s Breakwater.

Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait emphasized the importance of complementing the Ministry of Transport’s efforts by properly regulating customs to make Egypt a center of global trade.

To achieve this goal, the customs processes have been developed through five tracks, aimed at reducing costs and increasing productivity in the shortest possible time.

The first track focuses on legislation, with the introduction of a new customs law in 2020. The remaining tracks include the automation and digitization of customs procedures, streamlining of customs procedures and directing change, enhancing human development in the field, and outlining a vision for the future.

15 logistical centers were formed that covered 99.9 percent of Egypt’s imports and exports and lowered custom release time, Maait asserted.

President Sisi underlined that the state will proceed with its development drive despite the current challenges, expounding that the ongoing efforts to develop ports are meant to benefit from their  location and capabilities and place Egypt on the international competitiveness map.