Ashraf Sadek President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has stressed the need to upgrade the transport sector, which plays a pivotal role in the country's economic development and growth. At a meeting with Prime Minister Dr Mustafa Madbouli and Transport Minister Hisham Arafat Tuesday, President Sisi called for expediting the implementation of transport system and infrastructure projects and urged the upgrading of road safety systems, so as to reduce the number of road accidents. Confirming that the transport sector was of central importance in view of its direct influence on the lives of people, President Sisi highlighted the need for sustained efforts to upgrade all the transport services that are provided to citizens, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said in his round-up of the meeting. The President noted that the transport sector was an important pillar of support for the economic potential of the nation, Ambassador Radi said. During the meeting, President Sisi reviewed the government's plans for upgrading the transport sector and ways of applying the latest technologies to improve road safety nationwide. "It is important to improve the transport sector because it has the capacity to strengthen the national economy," said President Sisi, who held a separate meeting with the newly appointed Minister of Defence General Mohamed Zaki. After reviewing the relevant government plans, President Sisi instructed Prime Minister Madbouli and Minister Arafat to initiate whatever measures they deemed necessary for improving transport, especially given its capacity to contribute to achieving economic development and attracting investment, Spokesman Radi said. The President confirmed the importance of initiating action to set up integrated networks of roads to connect the new industrial zones to the country's seaports. In his presentation, Minister Arafat said that his ministry had started a plan for developing the railway system and improving its services nationwide. The plan included using modern technologies, developing level crossings, renovating the rolling stock, buying modern locomotives and overhauling the existing ones, Minister Arafat told the President, according to Ambassador Radi.
