Egypt’s Sisi says new capital should reflect image of the new Egyptian state

Egypt’s Sisi says new capital should reflect image of the new Egyptian state

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has said that the country's New Administrative Capital should reflect the new Egyptian state's image, and called for construction at the capital to continue within the set timeframe.

According to a statement by the presidency on Monday, El-Sisi met with several officials, including his aide for urban planning Amir Sayed Ahmed and head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority Ehab Al-Fair. They discussed the progress of work at the new capital and several projects implemented by the Armed Forces' engineering authority nationwide.

El-Sisi was briefed on the construction of the capital's diplomatic neighbourhood, which will be home to foreign embassies and consulates and regional and the bureaus of international organisations.

In 2015, Egypt started construction on the New Administrative Capital 45km east of Cairo as part of the government's plan to reduce pressure on an overpopulated 20-million strong capital, expand urban areas, and develop the infrastructure in the country of 104 million.

The New Administrative Capital, which is being built over 714 square kilometres by tens of thousands of workers, will be home to a government housing district, 29 ministries and other state institutions - including the cabinet and parliament buildings - and 20 residential