Egypt In-Focus: Irrigation ministry working to improve water system; President Sisi to restructure Supreme Council of Tourism board

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has issued a decree to restructure the board of the Supreme Council of tourism. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 09 May 2022
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Egypt In-Focus: Irrigation ministry working to improve water system; President Sisi to restructure Supreme Council of Tourism board

RIYADH: While Egypt is exposed to several challenges, it is taking a number of measures to improve the country’s infrastructure and economy. The Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources is still aiming to develop an enhanced water system. The president is seen reshuffling the Supreme Council of Tourism. Meanwhile, Egyptian firms such as Petrojet are seen participating in projects abroad. Also, the Suez Canal Authority has increased the number of dredgers to boost the canal expansion project. 

Ministry 

·      The Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources is still pursuing efforts to manage the water system in the country with high efficiency, local newspaper Egypt Today reported, citing minister Mohamed Abdel Atti. 

This comes as the ministry wishes to preserve water and consequently bring down the number of water complaints. 

Tourism 

·      Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has issued a decree to restructure the board of the Supreme Council of tourism, Egypt Today also reported. 

Under the restructuring, the president himself will be heading the board with the prime minister, the Central Bank of Egypt governor, the ministers of tourism, defense, foreign affairs, among others as members.

Projects

·      Egyptian construction engineering company Petrojet has submitted the lowest bid for a $70 million Jordanian fertilizer project, Meed reported. 

Jordan-based minerals harvesting firm Arab Potash Co. is the client which is aiming to expand one of its facilities in the country.

·      Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority has raised the number of dredgers operating at the southern entrance of the canal expansion project to eight, Egypt Today reported. 

This comes as the authority’s dredger Tariq bin Ziyad has joined the fleet of dredgers working at the southern entrance of the navigational course.

 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to 10,894

Updated 13 January 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to 10,894

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index extended its upward trend for a third consecutive day this week, gaining 148.18 points, or 1.38 percent, to close at 10,893.63 on Tuesday. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index stood at SR6.05 billion ($1.61 billion), with 144 listed stocks advancing and 107 declining. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also rose by 81.35 points to close at 23,668.29. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index edged up 1.71 percent to 1,460.89. 

The best-performing stock on the main market was Zahrat Al Waha for Trading Co., with its share price advancing 10 percent to SR2.75. 

Shares of CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. increased 8.27 percent to SR23.04, while Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. saw its stock climb 6.17 percent to SR50.60. 

Conversely, the share price of Naseej International Trading Co. declined 9.90 percent to SR31.48. 

On the announcements front, Arabian Drilling Co. said it secured three contract extensions for land rigs with energy giant Saudi Aramco, totaling SR1.4 billion and adding 25 active rig years to its backlog. 

In a Tadawul statement, the company said one rig is currently operational, the second will begin operations by the end of January, and the third — currently suspended — is expected to resume operations in 2026. 

Since November 2025, Arabian Drilling has secured seven contract extensions amounting to SR3.4 billion, representing 55 committed rig years. 

The three contracts have durations of 10 years, 10 years, and five years, respectively.

“Securing a total of SR1.4 billion in new contracts and expanding our backlog by 25 rig-years demonstrates both the trust our clients place in us and our ability to consistently deliver quality and reliability,” said Ghassan Mirdad, CEO of Arabian Drilling, in a statement. 

Shares of Arabian Drilling Co. rose 3.15 percent to SR104.70. 

Separately, Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. said it signed a 36-month contract valued at SR43.35 million with National Water Co. to operate and maintain water networks, pumping stations, wells, reservoirs, and related facilities in Tabuk. 

In October, Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. announced it had been awarded the contract by NWC. 

In a Tadawul statement, the company said the financial impact of the deal began in the fourth quarter of 2025. 

The share price of Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. declined 0.49 percent to SR120.70.