Russia tripling flights RUSSIA will triple the number of flights to Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh airports to 15 a week to each airport starting 27 August, the Russian news agency TASS reported on Monday, citing a statement from Russia's Covid-19 advisory panel. Egypt was named by the panel as one of five countries to see an increase in Russian flights. At the start of August, Russia completed health and safety checks in Red Sea airports and hotels. On 9 August, Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh airports started receiving the first Russian flights from Moscow after a six-year suspension of direct flights to the two Red Sea resorts. In late October 2015, Russia suspended direct flights to Egyptian airports following the crash of a Russian passenger plane in Sinai, killing all 224 people on board. The Russian federal security service qualified the incident as a terror attack. Egypt has since upgraded its safety and security measures at all airports nationwide. In April 2018, Russia resumed flights to Cairo International Airport but the Russian ban on flights to Red Sea destinations was lifted only last month.
Ready for Dubai Expo 2020 MINISTER of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El-Anany on Monday discussed the finishing touches to Egypt's participation in the six-month Dubai EXPO 2020 world fair, due to open on 1 October. Work on the Egyptian booth at the Dubai fair was expected to end 19 August, according to Gamea. "The event is a golden opportunity to show Egypt's contributions to the global development system," Gamea said. El-Anany said that an ancient Egyptian coffin, recently discovered in Saqqara, will be displayed at the booth. Specialised exhibitions in antiquities and real estate investment will be staged during the fair. Egypt is expected to host 106 events, including workshops, discussion panels, business meetings, and cultural events. Entertainment events will also be held to attract more visitors. Twenty-five million visitors from 192 countries are expected to attend the event. The EXPO Dubai was originally scheduled for October 2020, however, due to Covid-19, the fair was delayed for one year.
Second AMF tranche EGYPT received the second tranche of the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) loan, worth $282 million. The loan agreement was signed in July 2020 with the intent of helping Egypt in its economic reform efforts. Egypt is expected to receive another AMF loan shortly. "The AMF follows the developments in the Egyptian economy and the challenges it faces due to the current circumstances and is working through a fruitful partnership with the Egyptian government to help the country contain different challenges in the most effective way," the AMF stated
Exploring investments in Libya A DELEGATION from the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) visited Libya this week to explore available investment opportunities in the Libyan market. The FEI stressed its readiness to assist Libya in construction and reconstruction operations after holding meetings with the Libyan side to learn more about the market's needs. Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli signed 11 joint cooperation agreements in various fields during his visit to the Libyan capital Tripoli in April. The agreements included memoranda of understanding on technical cooperation in transportation, road and infrastructure projects, health and electricity sectors, the food sector, and intermediate industries.
India's Independence Day lights up EGYPT celebrated the 75th anniversary of India's Independence Day by illuminating the Cairo Tower. This came as part of AKAM 75 celebrations which are a series of events to be held by Indian embassies across the globe. The occasion was kicked off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 March and will continue until 15 August 2023. While inaugurating the event, Modi said AKAM meant "elixir of energy of independence" which draws inspiration from the freedom movement that led to independence, according to a press release. In addition, the Embassy of India in Cairo is planning to hold various activities to celebrate AKAM.
*A version of this article appears in print in the 19 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
