AT last, the Government has begun to realise the importance of reviving the country's shipbuilding industry that emerged under Mohamed Ali Pasha in the 19th century. After long years of deterioration, Minister of Trade and Industry Rashid Mohamed Rashid has invited international experts to look into the potential for Egypt to revive this industry, making the most of the country's vital location for worldwide navigation routes. The idea is to create big shipbuilding and maintenance yards on the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean in Alexandria and the Nile. These yards would create thousands of jobs and help make Egypt the region's premier shipbuilding nation, as it used to be back in the 1960s. This project is also crucial for Egypt's fishing industry that sorely lacks bigships capable of fishing in international waters. This is why our fishermen are forced to sail into the territorial waters of some neighbouring countries in search of fish. Because of this, they often get arrested and jailed. Such giant shipyards would encourage local investors to buy ships to transport their imported and exported commodities, instead of relying on foreign companies to do so, which is more expensive. This could enhance Egypt's foreign trade and make it more competitive in world markets. Indian experts are currently evaluating the state of Egypt's existing shipyards. Creating new ones to revive this important industry requires a big budget. This great national project could be very profitable.
