Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi directed concerned authorities to ensure the provision of state-of-the-art-services in the New Administrative Capital (NAC). This came during a meeting chaired by the president on Monday evening with the Head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority Maj. Gen. Ihab Al-Far and Presidential Adviser for Urban Planning Amir Sayed Ahmed Hassan. EL-Sisi also stressed the need to complete NAC projects on time, stressing the high standard of living, better services and job opportunities the new capital will provide. The meeting discussed the latest progress on the construction projects in the new capital, especially in the government district, to which the premises of several ministries and state bodies will be relocated, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said. Al-Far briefed the president on the progress on a project to improve the road and bridge networks in the Cairo Heliopolis (Masr El Gedida) district, as part of an integrated modernization plan that covers all the suburbs, the spokesman added. Several executive directors representing the companies undertaking the construction process in the new capital were also present at the meeting. Last week, Egypt has opened a new international airport on a one-month trial basis to service the city. In 2015, Egypt started the mega-construction of NAC, 45km east of Cairo as part of the government's plan to reduce pressure on an overpopulated, 20-million strong capital, expand urban areas, and develop the infrastructure for a nation of 98.9 million citizens. The new capital, which is being built over 714 square kilometres by tens of thousands of workers, will be home to a government housing district, 29 ministries and other state institutions – including the cabinet and parliament buildings – and 20 residential neighbourhoods that can accommodate 6.5 million people.
