More for wheat
The Egyptian government will pay farmers nearly double for locally grown wheat in the 2008 season compared to the previous year because of all-time high global prices. Farmers will get LE320 for an ardebb (150kg) of wheat—equivalent to $389 a ton—up from LE170 last season. Local wheat production could exceed 7.5 million tons, up from last year’s 7.39 million tons, but the government faces tough competition from private-sector traders. At six million tons of imported wheat a year, Egypt is one of the world’s largest wheat importers.
Railway twinship
At a budget of LE13 million, (1.5 million Euros) a twinship project has been launched between the Egyptian and French ministries of transportation. The 27-month-project aims at upgrading railway safety systems with the help of 50 visiting experts from France.
Capital of Islamic Culture
The International Islamic Organisation for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO) has chosen Alexandria as the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2008. Alexandria governorate created a memorial logo to mark the event, and a postage stamp bearing the logo is in the pipeline. Work is ongoing on a book about the history of Islamic culture in Alexandria and (ISESCO) is signing a partnership with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA).
Port investment
Dubai Ports World (DP) has taken over a controlling stake in Ain al-Sukhna Port Development Company (SPDC) which was awarded in 1999 a concession deal to operate the first marina in the port. DP World will invest $1.3 billion dollars within the coming three years to set up a 1300-million-metres long and 16-metre deep marina. DP World, a subsidiary of Dubai World, is owned by the UAE government and operates 43 major terminals in 27 countries. The past three years have seen a number of world maritime players channelling investments into Egypt, with Kuwait and Gulf Link Ports International signing a $1-billion-deal for a 40-year concession to build a major container terminal in Damietta.
30-year-tie
The State Information Service (SIS) last Sunday celebrated the 30th anniversary of cooperation with the German Hans Seidel Foundation. SIS Chairman Ayman al-Qaffas applauded the long work together, the visible fruits of which are the Nile centres for information, education and training in 26 governorates in Egypt. These centres have been instrumental, he said, in eradicating illiteracy, in adult education, supporting sustainable development, and promoting dialogue between citizens and the government.
Light and Hope
The only orchestra in the world made up entirely of blind women, the al-Nour wal-Amal (Light and Hope) Chamber Orchestra performed in Canberra earlier this month as part of the National Multicultural Festival. This is the orchestra’s first visit to Australia and, according to Australian papers, “the blind Egyptian female musicians have wowed audiences”. Conductors have developed special techniques to enable the girls to perform as an orchestra without the need to read the notes during performance and without the conductor’s baton. The women read the music in braille, but have to memorise each piece and the orchestral harmony off by heart. They play Egyptian and oriental pieces along with classical music by Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. The al-Nour wal-Amal Association was set up in Cairo in 1954 to help educate blind girls and assist in their integration into society. It now cares for about 300 girls.