Chief of Staff of the Army's Engineering Authority Major Kamel El Wazeer stated Thursday that the new Suez Canal dry digging phase was completed, 21 day before the scheduled completion date. El Wazeer added that 180 million cubic meters were dug after 161 days of work, adding that engineers, technicians and drivers are working on building the remaining bridges and finalizing facilities work. Fifty seven new companies started working on the city of new Ismailia, a total of 141 companies are currently working on the corridor project. The project, funded through granting investment certificates to Egyptians with 12% returns, aims at expanding the Suez Canal capacity as an industrial and logistic center to serve global commerce.