CAIRO – 23 April 2026: As Egypt prepares to celebrate Sinai Liberation Day on April 25th, the Ministry of Local Development and Environment has published a comprehensive report detailing its efforts to support regional development and enhance the quality of life for citizens across the peninsula.
Sinai, regarded as one of the holiest places on earth, has remained a top priority for Egyptian construction and development since its complete liberation from Israeli occupation. This liberation marked the culmination of one of history's most successful dual journeys of military action and diplomacy, spanning from the 1973 war to the raising of the Egyptian flag over Taba in 1982.
In the report, the Minister of Local Development and Environment, Manal Awad, affirmed that a comprehensive plan is underway to implement service-sector projects and enhance living standards in the North and South Sinai governorates. She noted that these initiatives align with the political leadership's directives to advance development efforts in the Sinai Peninsula while improving infrastructure and public services.
Minister Awad announced a robust package of projects designed to meet the state's vision for sustainable and inclusive development in border governorates. The report, submitted to the Minister by Dr. Saeed Helmy Abdel-Khaleq, Head of the Integrated Local Planning and Development Sector, details the status of these ongoing projects.
Development Efforts in North Sinai Governorate
The Ministry’s efforts include strengthening waste management systems by funding three sanitary landfills in the cities of Arish (EGP 31 million), Bir al-Abd (EGP 26 million), and Sheikh Zuweid (EGP 65 million), totaling EGP 125 million. Additionally, a mobile transfer station was supplied to Arish at a cost of EGP 3 million to improve environmental efficiency.
Infrastructure support included the development of the 2-km Arish Corniche (EGP 29 million), the establishment of 17 development clusters, and the creation of eight fishing villages with total funding of approximately EGP 3.536 billion. This initiative also involved the reclamation of 10,000 acres, the construction of 585 housing units, and the allocation of EGP 278 million for cluster lighting.
Further road projects were implemented with EGP 1.2 billion in funding, including a 90-km development axis and 61 km of connecting roads. Small businesses were supported through the "Your Project" program, which provided EGP 47 million for 464 projects, creating approximately 1,872 job opportunities.
Vital monitoring efforts continue for several key projects, including two water pumping stations, a 4-km pipeline, the Arish seawater desalination plant, and a new railway station. Furthermore, 6,047 residential units have been built alongside ongoing agricultural, service, and industrial projects.
Development Efforts in South Sinai Governorate
Between 2014 and 2025, the Ministry contributed to 895 projects in South Sinai, with total investments amounting to EGP 10.3 billion across the roads, electricity, and environmental sectors. Investment plan allocations for the 2025/2026 fiscal year reached approximately EGP 449.9 million, with an implementation rate currently nearing 80%.
Direct support was provided to several vital sectors, including EGP 10 million for the Youth Forum and EGP 65 million for lighting development clusters. A visual surveillance system was also implemented at a cost of EGP 990 million, covering 275 locations with 545 cameras. Additionally, EGP 70 million was allocated to connect the system to the national grid.
As part of the Presidential "100 Million Trees" initiative, the governorate received 70,000 trees. Furthermore, two government slaughterhouses were upgraded at a cost of EGP 46 million, and the sanitation system received EGP 133 million to fund three sanitary landfills and four primary sorting lines.
In terms of economic empowerment, 913 projects were funded through "Your Project" with loans totaling EGP 565 million, creating roughly 10,760 jobs and strengthening local economic stability.
Dr. Manal Awad affirmed that these integrated efforts reflect the Ministry’s pivotal role in supporting state development plans, maximizing the impact of investments, and achieving a qualitative leap in public services.
The Minister also highlighted the development of sites along the Holy Family Trail in North Sinai, specifically in Al-Fulusiyat and Al-Khuwaynat within the Zaranik Protected Area. Al-Fulusiyat holds significant archaeological value, and the Ministry is working with relevant authorities on a comprehensive investment plan for tourism projects that adhere to international environmental standards.
Dr. Awad concluded that this development aims to transform the area into a world-class destination, offering an integrated experience that combines archaeological and religious tourism with ecotourism, supporting the state’s commitment to sustainable development in Egypt's nature reserves.
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