Sisi’s week focused on attracting investments

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s last week activities focused on seeking means to support the national economy and attract investments and tourism and reviewing the new projects Egypt plans to carry out soon.
On Saturday, Sisi received visiting Chinese presidential envoy Meng Jianzhu and his accompanying delegation.
The meeting took up several regional and international issues in addition to ways to boost cooperation between both countries and preparations for Sisi’s visit to China in December.
Sisi met with visiting South Korean Prime Minister Jung Hong-won on Sunday.
The South Korean official conveyed greetings from his president to Sisi, saying he hopes Sisi will accept an invitation to visit South Korea next year on the occasion marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
South Korea supports Egyptian efforts in fighting terrorism, presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef quoted Jung as saying.
For his part, Sisi praised South Korea's support for the Egyptian June 30 revolution, saying Egypt eyes further economic cooperation with the country in light of available investment opportunities in Egypt, including the Suez Canal region development project and many others to be floated during an economic summit that he will be held in March.
Egypt is keen to bolster cooperation with South Korea in a number of domains, including energy, renewable energy, railways, shipbuilding, advanced industries, recycling and SMEs, Sisi said.
South Korea is planning to participate in the economic conference Egypt is organizing in March, Jung said.
The two sides expressed keenness to build a Korean university in Egypt to qualify and train Egyptian workers for the market.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met on Saturday with a visiting Saudi business delegation led by head of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry Abdel Rahman Al Zamil.
The president reiterated that investment is closely related to stability and hailed the Saudi King's efforts in this domain, presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef said.
Sisi expressed Egypt's keenness to further boost trade cooperation with Saudi Arabia, noting that the Egyptian government had adopted a number of investment reform policies that would help lure more domestic and foreign investments, the spokesman added.
The president also touched on the latest political and economic developments in the region, Youssef said.
Zamil, for his part, said the number of Saudi investors is increasing, adding that there are some 3,200 Saudi companies operating in Egypt with total investments exceeding $22 billion.
Meanwhile, Sisi met on Sunday with a delegation of Arab investors, business owners and heads of chambers of commerce.
The president said the government is drafting several bills to ease investment procedures, including the unified investment law and applying the 'single-window' system to save time and effort, Youssef said.
Sisi said investment problems can be settled cordially without the need to resort to long complicated judicial procedures.
An Egyptian investment map is being set up to show the most important projects and sites that investors can engage in, he said.
Sisi also reviewed a number of promising investment projects in Egypt, including the Suez Canal corridor development, the northwest Gulf of Suez, the Sharq Al-Tafrea and the golden triangle, the spokesman said.
The meeting was also attended by Arab League Secretary General Nabil el-Arabi and the ministers of industry and trade, supply, and investment.
AL chief Arabi shed light on the pan-Arab body's efforts to promote Arab economic cooperation to pave the way for the establishment of an Arab free trade zone and a customs union.
For their part, the Arab investors hailed Egyptian measures to ease obstacles facing their businesses. They said they visited on Saturday the site of the New Suez Canal project .
Sisi said Egypt, after the revolution, has opened its doors for serious private investments.
In his address before the 16th conference of Arab businessmen and investors, read out on his behalf by Minister of Supply Khaled Hanafi, the president said Egypt has adopted the market economy and respects commitments of the government and the executive bodies within the framework of the law.
It is necessary to surmount the bilateral relations stage to joint action and head toward foreign markets for the best interest of the Arab states, he added.
The president expressed optimism over the upcoming economic Sharm el-Sheikh conference as being a start, a turning point for the Arab nation and a better future for the coming generations.
Egypt has always been the heart of the Arab nation, the beacon of science and culture, the center of trade and industry and the protective shield of the Arab world, he added.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir Mayardit on Saturday stressed the importance of bolstering bilateral ties at all levels.
Sisi stressed during the meeting Egypt's support for stability in South Sudan, saying that Egypt backs the South Sudanese government to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of its people.
"Egypt will continue to provide aid to South Sudan," Sisi said.
For his part, Salva Kiir asserted that his meeting with Sisi confirmed Egypt's positive approach towards South Sudan.
This visit was a strong message which reflected the deeply-rooted relations between the two countries, Salva Kiir said, adding that ties would prosper during the coming period. He stressed Egypt's major role in the region and appreciated its aid to his country.
The South Sudanese president added that he was keen to head a large delegation grouping officials from various ministries to discuss with their Egyptian counterparts ways of activating the agreements signed between the two countries and boosting the bilateral ties through signing new deals.
President Sisi stressed the importance he attached to cooperation in the health field.
The president agreed to a South Sudanese request to send more Egyptian doctors to the country and accommodating more South Sudanese students to study in the Egyptian universities, he added.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday received the final report prepared by the fact-finding committee on the post-June 30 Revolution events.
Sisi has received the report and referred it to the Cabinet to be considered and to all bodies concerned to take the necessary action.
Meanwhile, Sisi approved a new amendment to an assistance deal inked between Egypt and the United States over providing support for Egyptian utilities. The new amendments were signed on September 30.
The amendment of the deal, which was originally inked in 1997, is meant to add $2.893 million to complete water and sewage services in a number of towns nationwide.
Sisi also issued a decree to approve a grant deal between Egypt and the United States in the field of basic education.
The deal is meant to concentrate on activities that support basic education in order to provide necessary job opportunities to fulfill the market needs.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrived in Rome, Italy, on Monday on a two-day visit at the onset of a European tour that took him as well to France.
He held a session of talks with his Italian counterpart Giorgio Napolitano at the Quirinale presidential palace.
Talks were held in a closed-door session that was followed by an expanded session of talks attended by delegations from both sides.
Sisi was accompanied by a high-profile delegation grouping the ministers of foreign affairs, trade and industry, investment, supply and internal trade.
Sisi met with Italian Senate Speaker Pietro Grasso on means of bolstering Egyptian-Italian relations in all domains.
Talks also tackled the situation in Egypt and the steps made to implement the road map plan approved by the Egyptian people as well as current preparations for the parliamentary elections.
The two sides also discussed means of bolstering parliamentary relations in the wake of electing a new parliament in Egypt.
Sisi has stressed Egypt's commitment to providing a suitable investment atmosphere for Italian and European companies.
The remarks were made during a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi following their talks in Rome.
President Sisi stressed that his talks with the Italian premier tackled ways to combat terrorism and illegal migration.
"We agreed to seriously deal with these issues," Sisi said during the press conference.
Sisi said he expected a real positive response from European countries and further support for Egypt during the coming period.
Commenting on the situation in Libya, Sisi said that Egypt does not intervene in the Libyan internal affairs, voicing support for the integrity of Libyan territories.
"Egypt protects only its borders," Sisi stressed.
As for the Middle East peace process, Sisi called for providing new hope to the Palestinians to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-state solution.
He called on both parties to draw lessons from the peace process between Egypt and Israel.
Asked about an initiative by the Saudi king to back Arab unity, Sisi said that Egypt quickly responded to the initiative in recognition of the role played by King Abdullah. "The ball is in the others' court now," Sisi said.
He stressed that the Egyptian state is committed to all agreements signed with foreign companies working in Egypt.
Sisi voiced appreciation for the Italian people and Egyptians who stood three hours to salute him.
Italian Premier Matteo Renzi voiced appreciation over President Sisi's visit that represents an important stage in relations between Egypt and Italy.
The talks with President Sisi tackled a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, Renzi said.
Renzi voiced sympathy with Egypt over the recent terrorist attacks in the country. Italy and Egypt are working to combat terrorism, the Italian premier said.
He praised reforms carried out by President Sisi and the launch of important development projects in Egypt.
Egypt is a market attracting Italian companies. Renzi said, noting that all economic issues will be discussed later today and tomorrow.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met in his residence in Rome with Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni .
They discussed the latest developments in the region including peace efforts between the Palestinians and Israel and conditions in Libya, Iraq and Syria.
The president discussed with the Italian top diplomat coordinating efforts of combating terrorism and extremism, as well as Egyptian-European relations.
Sisi met with Pope Francis at the Holy See on Monday, the first visit by an Egyptian leader to the Vatican in eight years.
Sisi's visit reflects Egypt's appreciation to the Pope's outreach to Muslims and his painstaking efforts to fight poverty around the globe.
The visit will help boost an interfaith dialogue between Azhar, the world's highest seat of Sunni learning, and the Vatican.
It will also enhance ties between the Vatican and the Coptic Church.
Sisi expressed his appreciation and respect for Pope Francis, asserting the importance of resuming dialogue between the Vatican and Al-Azhar in light of the current critical phase that necessitates consolidating efforts and understanding among peoples.
President Sisi praised the stances of Pope Vatican and his efforts in defense of humanitarian issues that are considered common goals for both sides and help bolster bilateral relations and spread of moderate thoughts and confront extremist ideas.
The two sides held a closed-door session of talks during which Pope Francis expressed his conviction of the tolerance of the Islamic religion. Pope Francis reiterated that practices made by some extremist groups do not represent the values and principles of Islam.
Still in Rome, President Sisi conferred with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General José Graziano da Silva on means of bolstering cooperation in the field of providing food and developing the agricultural sector. They also discussed trilateral cooperation with Africa.
President Sisi also discussed with FAO chief Egypt's plans to reclaim three million feddans to help establish new urban communities in the newly-reclaimed areas.
He attended a meeting of Egyptian-Italian Business Council and briefed the Italian business community on the developments taking place in the Egyptian economy and the mega investment projects currently being implemented or prepared.
President Sisi discussed with Josette Sheeran, the executive director of the World Food Program (WFP), cooperation programs between Egypt and the organization.
The meeting also covered cooperation between Egypt and the WFP as regards the Syrian refugees living in Egypt whose number hits 140,000.
Sisi met on Tuesday with Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the House of Representatives Fabrizio Cicchitto.
The meeting took up Egypt's efforts to resume its future road map plan and current preparations for the parliamentary elections. They also discussed bolstering cooperation between the two countries in parliamentary affairs.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi flew to France on Tuesday on a three-day visit as part of a tour that took him earlier to Italy, Vatican.
The president was received upon arrival at Paris Orly Airport by French Minister of State for Territorial Reform Andre Vallini, France's Ambassador in Cairo Andre Baran and Egypt's Ambassador in Paris Ihab Badawi, as well as the embassy staff.
French President François Hollande received on Wednesday President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Élysée Palace.
The talks tackled means of enhancing bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern, mainly the peace process, the situation in Iraq, Syria and Libya along with ways to combat terrorism.
Hollande voiced his country’s support for the political and economic process carried out by the Egyptian government. Hollande also voiced support for Egypt in its war against terrorism and extremism.
He praised Egypt for seeking to continue the democratic transition process through the implementation of the political road map.
France is a strategic partner of Egypt, Hollande said, reiterating his keenness to enhance cooperation with Egypt in all fields.
For his part, President Sisi thanked his French counterpart for warm reception, praising bilateral relations binding both countries.
Both leaders reflected harmony in the two countries' viewpoints towards bilateral and international issues.
The Palestinian issue, on "which our stances were totally identical, has topped the summit talks and we agreed on doing the utmost to bring all parties to work on and resume the Palestinian-Israeli peace process," president Sisi said.
As for Iraq, President Sisi said that he agreed with Hollande to work with the Iraqi government and the various international parties to support Iraq in the face of terror.
"Our talks on Syria, meantime, reflected understanding on the need to reach a political solution to the crisis that would stop the bloodshed, protect state institutions and the country's territorial integrity," Sisi said.
Commenting on the situation in Libya, President Sisi said he shared identical viewpoints with the French leader on the gravity of the situation in Libya and violence in the war-torn country, pointing out that the current conditions in Libya have turned it into a fertile land for terrorism.
He stressed the importance of protecting the potentials of the Libyan people through backing the legitimacy which was approved by the Libyan people.
President Sisi called for backing peace efforts in the African continent to strengthen democracy and the economic process and to fight organized crime.
Three cooperation deals between Egypt and France were signed. Sisi and Hollande attended the ceremony.
The deals are concerned with establishing the underground Metro, natural gas and investment projects in Egypt.
Sisi also met with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius over a working breakfast. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri attended breakfast banquet.
Talks covered the latest developments in the Middle East region, especially the resumption of peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis, the situation in Libya and Syria, and the efforts exerted to fight terrorism in all its forms.
Sisi met with representatives of leading French travel companies.
The meeting took up the Egyptian efforts exerted to restore the tourism movement to Egypt to its previous rates as tourism is a basic contributor to the country's national income.
Sisi met with President of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the French Parliament Elizabeth Gigo.
They discussed the latest developments in Egypt and the completion of the political road map, as well as cooperation between the French parliament and the coming parliament in Egypt.
He also met with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. The meeting took up ways to promote military cooperation.
Sisi held a meeting with French businessmen to discuss ways of bolstering trade relations with France.
They tackled the Egyptian government's efforts to improve the climate of investment in the country.
Sisi met with Speaker of the French Senate Gerard Larche and President of National Assembly Claude Bartolone.
Sisi also met with former Prime Minister and head of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee at the Senate Jean-Pierre Raffarin.
Talks tackled the political developments in Egypt in light of steps taken to put into effect the road map, preparations for parliamentary polls and boosting Egyptian-French relations in the parliamentary domain once a new parliament is elected in Egypt.
Meanwhile, the president granted the French paper Le Figaro an interview where he reviewed the recent developments in the local arena at the economic and political levels. He also expounded the Egyptian view regarding several regional and international issues.
Source: Mena