Egypt: Pandemic Highlighted Necessity of Resettling Some Industries

A general view of buildings by the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt July 2, 2019. (Reuters)
A general view of buildings by the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt July 2, 2019. (Reuters)
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Egypt: Pandemic Highlighted Necessity of Resettling Some Industries

A general view of buildings by the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt July 2, 2019. (Reuters)
A general view of buildings by the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt July 2, 2019. (Reuters)

Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development Dr. Hala el-Said said that the pandemic has demonstrated the necessity of resettling some industries, including medical products.

Said participated in the regular meeting of the“British Investors Forum” in Egypt, during which she addressed the situation of the Egyptian economy after the COVID-19 crisis.

She stressed the need to boost self-sufficiency and deepen agricultural industrialization and the localization of products in the telecommunications sector, trains and railway supplies, home appliances, as well as furniture industries.

She also highlighted the national strategy for the transition to a green economy that was adopted by the Egyptian government.

"Egypt was at the forefront of the countries in the region that issued green bonds in international markets,” she noted.

Said stressed her country's determination to move forward with the comprehensive and sustainable reform and development process that requires years of serious and continuous work in cooperation between all development partners from the private sector and civil society with the government.

"Structural reforms aim to diversify the structure of the Egyptian economy, increase its flexibility, raise the ability to absorb external and internal shocks, as well as transform the Egyptian economy into a productive economy that is based on knowledge and has competitive capabilities in the global economy," she said.



Asharq Al-Awsat Tours Riyadh Metro on First Day of its Launch

Riyadh residents ride the Riyadh Metro on its launch day on Sunday. (Turky al-Agili)
Riyadh residents ride the Riyadh Metro on its launch day on Sunday. (Turky al-Agili)
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Asharq Al-Awsat Tours Riyadh Metro on First Day of its Launch

Riyadh residents ride the Riyadh Metro on its launch day on Sunday. (Turky al-Agili)
Riyadh residents ride the Riyadh Metro on its launch day on Sunday. (Turky al-Agili)

“Big achievements take time,” remarked university student Ahmed Al-Omari quoting a Saudi proverb as the Riyadh Metro officially began operations, opening three lines to passengers on Sunday morning. This long-anticipated mega-project is a significant milestone in advancing infrastructure to meet the needs of Riyadh’s rapidly growing population.

The proverb underscores that delays often reflect the scale and ambition of a project rather than inefficiency. After 11 years and a $22 billion investment, the Riyadh Metro, one of the largest transit systems in the Middle East, is now a reality, featuring six main lines spanning the city.

The metro boasts six lines extending 176 kilometers, making it the world’s longest driverless metro system. With 85 stations, including four major hubs, it has a daily capacity to serve 3.6 million passengers.

“I was worried about parking, but it turned out to be convenient and located right at the station,” said commuter Khuloud Al-Amri. The metro system provides 21 public parking facilities, each accommodating between 200 and 600 vehicles, to facilitate access. Additionally, 19 other parking sites with similar capacities are available across the network, along with seven maintenance and overnight facilities at its edges.

The Riyadh Metro offers the lowest transportation cost among G20 nations relative to daily income, according to Maher Shira, Director General of Smart Cities at the Royal Commission for Riyadh. Fares amount to just 0.5% of the average daily income of SAR 733 (approximately $195), compared to 0.9% in Türkiye and 1–3% in other G20 countries.

“My commute typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. I hope the metro will reduce this time,” said Hatem Al-Fawaz, one of the metro’s first passengers on launch day.

Environmentally, the metro aligns with Riyadh’s green initiatives. Existing city buses already use low-sulfur fuel, making them among the world’s most eco-friendly.

The metro further contributes by reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, according to the Royal Commission. It also helps mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and urban heat through sustainable transport options.

The Riyadh Metro is expected to alleviate traffic congestion by 30%, marking a transformative step toward sustainable urban mobility and a better quality of life for residents.