Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has held a meeting to review the development project of Egypt’s provincial capitals and major cities, in line with the presidential directives for the optimal utilization of state assets and provision of new services and projects, Invest-Gate reports.

The meeting is part of the periodic follow up on urban developments to revamp existing cities and areas, in a bid to enhance services for citizens, Madbouly affirmed, while also emphasizing the significance of development projects in Old Cairo, according to an official statement on December 15.

This came in the presence of several government officials, namely Chairman of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority Ehab El-Far and Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Assem El Gazzar, who showcased phase I of the development project of provincial capitals and major cities.

During the presentation, El Gazzar pointed out that such projects aim at establishing integrated urban communities that will provide a plethora of housing units, as a part of the presidential initiative, “Residence for all Egyptians,” catering to middle-income earners and slum residents.

These new ventures are complemented by a broad range of educational projects, infrastructure services, social clubs, health centers, commercial malls, worship places, and more, the minister continued.

Moreover, El Gazzar discussed work in the comprehensive development project of Historic Cairo, which will revive and change the face of specific areas so that visitors find fun and entertainment by creating a mixed-use cultural center to represent Arab and African civilizations.

Bab Zuweila (Zuwayla Gate), Masjid Al-Hakim (Al-Hakim Mosque), Bab Al-Wazir, Al-Muizz Street, El Gamaleya District (i.e. Khan Al Khalili), Souq Al-Salah, and Al-Saliba Street are among many of Old Cairo’s areas coming under the development plan, the statement noted.

Earlier this month, Cabinet Spokesman Nader Saad had confirmed the allocation of EGP 10 bn for phase I of the development project of provincial capitals and major cities, in a move coinciding with efforts on President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s “Residence for all Egyptians” national project, as highlighted in a previous Cabinet statement.

On December 14, El-Sisi has mandated the implementation of additional 3,300 housing units nationwide, as part of the latter national project, and as an extension to the state’s “Ahalena” social housing project in the vicinity of Ibrahim El Orabi Axis, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady revealed in a separate statement.