Arab League chief hails New Suez Canal project

Arab League Secretary General Nabil el Arabi congratulated the Egyptian people, the political leadership and the government for the completion of the New Suez Canal, which is scheduled to be opened on August 6.

The New Suez Canal is a great accomplishment that is almost viewed as a miracle, he added in press statements Thursday.

It will contribute effectively to the economic, political and social spheres, he added.

The project shows that Egypt attained a great victory against terrorism, he said, adding that Egypt seeks to meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people of freedom and economic progress.

Arab League assistant secretary-general for Palestine Mohamed Sobeih, meanwhile, congratulated the Egyptian people for this great achievement.

He also hailed the well-timed implementation of the project, adding that it is an accomplishment for Egypt, a power for Arabs and support for Palestine.

Egypt will inaugurate the New Suez Canal on August 6, which will massively increase the capacity of the existing canal and offer an important chance to boost the country’s struggling economy.

Called the Suez Canal Corridor, the 72-kilometer new project involves a 37-kilometer new waterway and deepening and expansion of the existing 145-year-old Suez Canal along a 35-kilometer stretch.

The project, estimated to have cost about $8.5bn, aims at expanding the Suez Canal region's role as a global, industrial, and logistics center that is environmentally balanced with an integrated economy.

It is also projected to become a global hub due to its logistics and industrial services.