The Egyptian government held its first meeting in the country's new administrative capital

 

 Egypt's cabinet held its first meeting on Thursday in the new administrative capital, a project by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi that has been underway in the desert east of Cairo for the past five years, according to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)- The National.

"This is a historic day!" a statement from the cabinet of prime minister mostafa madbuli quoted cabinet ministers as saying.

"Our meeting today in the government district of the New Administrative Capital sends a strong and clear message to the world that Egypt is taking solid and vigorous steps towards the future despite the challenges it faces.

 Construction of the new capital began five years ago at an initial cost of at least $ 60 billion. It is part of a vigorous construction boom, during which Egypt built a dozen new cities, thousands of kilometers of new roads, mega housing projects and turned the desert into agricultural land.

The completion of the new capital has allowed El Sisi and state-controlled media to coined the phrase "New Republic" in homage to the development drive that began after the Egyptian leader took office in 2014.

 In addition to the government quarter, the new city boasts a diplomatic quarter, the largest Christian cathedral in the Middle East and a center of state-of-the-art culture and arts. El Sisi himself will move there along with all the ministries. It will also include the tallest skyscrapers in Africa, and public services will be fully digital.

The city will have a population of 6.5 million when fully populated, about a third of the more than 20 million people living in Cairo, 60 kilometers from the new capital.

It was supposed to open last year, but it was postponed due to the pandemic.

 Thursday's cabinet meeting was largely symbolic, as ministries and government officials have yet to move. Mr Madbuli said it would be gradual.

"Five years ago, this city was nothing more than drawings and ink on paper. "What has happened today is an achievement that must be attributed to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who is monitoring progress and offering advice at every step of the way," Madbuli said.

 What has been achieved here would take at least 15 or 20 years to complete anywhere else in the world, something that makes me thank everyone who contributed to this city to see the light of day and to shine before the whole world as the beginning of the New Republic ”.