The government has invested a total of EGP 50.2bn in development projects, EGP 34.4bn as part of the investment plan and EGP 15.8 as part of the stimulus plan, according to Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ashraf El Araby. The remarks came during a visit to Ismailia Saturday, as the planning minister is inspecting several investment projects in a number of different governorates aimed at supporting the economy and "establishing social justice". Among the projects in Ismailia is a 17,232 unit social residential project. He also inspected another housing project, comprised of 20 residential buildings, that was halted for several years due to the unavailability of funds, and difficulties outfitting residential units with facilities and services. The minister also checked on the automated slaughterhouse project that the government is building in Abu Khalifa, Ismailia, which will cost EGP 28m. The project is expected to be open for business on 25 April. El Araby also visited the construction site of a new tunnel, called Thalathiny, in central Ismailia. The project, which will cost EGP 300m and is set to opened July, will help lessen traffic congestion problems in the governorate. In addition to allocating EGP 725m for Ismailia "as part of the stimulus package to revitalise and revive the economy", the minister announced that, during fiscal year 2013/2014, the government has so far spent more than EGP 600m in the governorate on development projects spanning the education, housing and transportation sectors. The stimulus package in Ismailia includes several programmes relating to transportation within the province, including developing 35 railway crossings. It also includes other programmes to develop a sanitation and drinking water system, pipe natural gas to the city centre , develop the Ismailia General Hospital, and build vocational rehabilitation projects for the disabled.
