The Toshka Project has not been suspended and the government will continue to execute on its promise, said Ali Ismail, head of the Agriculture Development Authority. The Authority warned companies of inaction, he added. “Kingdom Company, operated by Saudi businessman Waleed bin-Talal, only cultivated 2,000 acres, while al-Raghy Company cultivated 20,000 acres,” Ismail said. “Emirates company al-Zahera drafted a timetable to reclaim 100,000 acres,” he said. The Egyptian Cabinet formed a committee, headed by Deputy Egyptian Prime Minister Ali al-Salmy, to support the project and study the challenges facing the development process in Toshka, he said. He added that this committee will pave the way for new graduates to benefit from the project lands. Egypt's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said that it executed 95 percent of the required tasks to provide water to 300,000 acres.
