Egypt's newspapers of Saturday gave prominence to Egypt Economic Development Conference (EEDC), which kicked off yesterday in Sharm el Sheikh, with the presence of 30 heads state of Arab and foreign countries.
The EEDC conference started yesterday in the presence of about 30 heads of state, more than 500 officials and about 2,500 investors and delegations of 100 countries along with 30 regional and international organizations, said Al-Ahram Newspaper.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi delivered the inaugural speech, which was followed by several speeches by a number of kings, presidents and heads of the participating delegations, added the newspaper.
All Arab countries, including Qatar, along with African countries and the US and European, Asian and Latin American states are taking part in the conference, the newspaper said, noting that each of Turkey, Iran and Israel were not invited to the conference.
Press conferences will be held today morning with the ministers to announce the details of the conference's events and the sessions, the newspaper quoted Cabinet Spokesman Hossam Qawish as saying.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, who was at the conference, pledged America’s support for Egypt’s economy, said the paper.
The newspaper, meanwhile, quoted Sisi as saying that Egypt is going toward the future and it is quite open to the world.
“Egypt is a model for tolerant morals, a country that denounces extremism and violence,” he added.
President Sisi paid tribute to late Saudi king Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz, noting that it had been his call to organize this conference.
Such stance is also normal of Saudi Arabia under the rule of King Salman bin Abdel Aziz, Sisi said, adding that honorable stances are characteristic of the founding king and have been adopted by all his successors.
The newspaper further said that Housing Minister Mostafa Madboli presented yesterday a number of mega projects, prepared by the ministry, before the economic conference.
Among the top of the projects was the new administrative and business capital east of Cairo that will house five million people.
Unveiling an initial plan in front of global leaders and diplomats attending the conference, Madboli said the new city will be built between Cairo and the canal city of Suez.
“The idea to build the new city originated from our awareness that Cairo’s current population will double in the next 40 years,” Madbuli said in a presentation showcasing the details.
Meanwhile, Al Gomhuria newspaper said that Sisi opened the EEDC in Sharm el Sheikh yesterday with the presence of 30 heads of state and 500 officials from the various world counties.
"I welcome all development partners of our new Egypt who believe in the importance of working together for the prosperity and progress of mankind. Those who came here today to have a role in providing stability and prosperity to a nation aspiring for development ," Sisi said at the opening session of the conference.
"You are all welcome at Egypt Economic Development Conference, Egypt the Future" he added.
Akhbar El-Youm newspaper, for its part, pointed out to Sisi's speech yesterday during the conference.
The newspaper further said that Sisi thanked the Arab leaders who honored Egypt by their participation or by sending representatives.
He also thanked the Jordanian and Bahraini monarchs for their continued support of Egypt, saying their support reflects deeply-rooted relations binding Egypt with their countries.
The Egyptian people have always been an effective player in protecting their country and the Muslim and Arab nations, Sisi said.
Sisi saluted his people, who are looking forward to boosting their partnership with friendly states, noted the newspaper.
Source: MENA