President Hosni Mubarak opened a number of development and service industry projects in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Sohag Thursday. "The President inaugurated the first phase of the Sohag-Red Sea Road, which will be a development link and provide thousands of jobs there," Egypt's official Middle East News Agency (MENA) quoted Minister of Investment Mahmoud Mohieddin as saying. He added that the new road would also help attract more investments to southern governorates. "The second phase will start later this year and will cost LE1.2 billion," he said. When completed, the road will help increase investment in Sohag to LE10 billion, according to the official. The President also opened the Mubarak Military Hospital in the town of Sohag.