Egypt's Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation said Wednesday it had welcomed a technical delegation from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in December to review the progress of major development projects across the country. The visit comes as part of Egypt's ongoing efforts to strengthen international partnerships and monitor their impact on national development. Minister Rania Al-Mashat emphasised the strategic nature of the partnership. "Our collaboration with the IsDB strengthens Egypt's efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable economic growth," she said, adding that the country aims to expand cooperation to increase financing for the private sector. Dahab City's Strategic Transformation The delegation examined the implementation of Dahab's strategic urban plan, identifying priority interventions to enhance quality of life, improve public services, and foster sustainable investment. The discussions included South Sinai Governor Khaled Mubarak, representatives from the Ministry of Local Development, and officials from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Among the projects highlighted were the development of three world-renowned diving sites, the urban redevelopment of Al-Asala from an informal settlement into a fully planned district, expansion of surrounding urban areas, and the creation of Laguna as a global tourism hub. Plans also include the introduction of an environmentally friendly public transport system, supported by a smart management application. High-Speed Electric Train Project The IsDB delegation visited Sphinx Station, part of Phase One of Egypt's high-speed electric train project. The 675-kilometre network, extending from Ain Sokhna to New Alamein and Marsa Matrouh, includes a 390-kilometre section funded by the bank. The project is expected to contribute to Egypt's social and economic development by establishing a sustainable high-speed railway system. Electricity Interconnection with Saudi Arabia The visit concluded with a technical briefing on the electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which aims to enhance energy security and stabilise the regional grid. When completed, the project will link the largest electricity networks in the Arab world, with a combined capacity exceeding 90,000 megawatts, and integrate systems across the Gulf Cooperation Council and North Africa. Bank-funded substation works have reached 88.5 per cent completion, and delegates conducted on-site inspections at Badr Substation. Egypt- IsDB Longstanding Partnership Egypt has maintained a strategic relationship with the Islamic Development Bank since 1974. The partnership has provided $26.1 billion to finance 431 projects in sectors including electricity, energy, agriculture, health, education, industry, transport, and information technology. Of these, 354 projects have been completed, while 77 remain underway. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
