Egypt In-Focus: Egypt to buy 815,000 tons of wheat; power interconnection project with KSA underway

The World Bank has agreed to provide Egypt with $500 million in development funds to boost food security.
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Updated 30 June 2022
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Egypt In-Focus: Egypt to buy 815,000 tons of wheat; power interconnection project with KSA underway

CAIRO: Egypt has contracted to buy the largest quantity of wheat in a tender in at least a decade, as it takes advantage of the recent price drop. Additionally, the World Bank has agreed to provide the North African country $500 million in development funds to boost food security.
Egypt has contracted to buy the largest quantity of wheat in a tender in at least a decade, as it takes advantage of the recent price drop, Bloomberg reported. 

The country’s General Authority for Supply Commodities bought 815,000 tons to bolster stockpiles as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted global supplies.

According to data compiled by Bloomberg, the order is considered the largest single purchase since at least 2012. 

Food security

The World Bank has agreed to provide Egypt with $500 million in development funds to boost food security.

Egypt-Saudi electrical interconnection

The minister of electricity and renewable energy has said work is currently in progress on the electrical interconnection project with Saudi Arabia to exchange 3,000 MW at a cost of $1.8 billion. 

Mohamed Shaker told Daily News Egypt that the project is set to be operational by 2026.


UAE’s Emirates Skywards partners with UK’s Jet2 to offer flight rewards

Updated 22 January 2026
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UAE’s Emirates Skywards partners with UK’s Jet2 to offer flight rewards

RIYADH: The UAE’s Emirates Skywards has partnered with Jet2.com, allowing members to redeem flight rewards to more than 75 destinations across the UK airline’s leisure network.

Emirates and flydubai’s loyalty program is expanding its UK portfolio, giving its 4 million members more opportunities, rewards, and travel options, according to a statement.

This supports the UAE’s goal of becoming the world’s leading aviation hub by 2035, backed by major infrastructure investment, expanded sustainable aviation fuel production, and workforce development, as well as digital transformation and a strong regulatory framework.

It also aligns well with the UAE’s tourism aim of making it a top global destination, targeting 40 million hotel guests by 2031 under the national UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, aiming for 450 billion dirhams ($122 billion) in gross domestic product contribution and 100 billion dirhams in investments.

“The UK is one of our top markets and we’re pleased to expand our portfolio to offer millions of members a chance to redeem flight rewards on popular holiday destinations served by Jet2.com. In addition to flight tickets, members can also redeem Miles for meals, extra baggage allowance, preferred seat selection, and more — making it possible to enjoy the perfect start to a holiday, fully covered by Skywards Miles,” said Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards Nejib Ben Khedher.

He added: “We’re always looking for new ways to expand our offerings and provide members with the best value, choice, and rewards a loyalty program can offer.”

From his side, Doug Turner, general manager of third-party supply and distribution at Jet2.com, said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with Emirates Skywards, which means we can give even more customers the opportunity to enjoy flights with our award-winning airline.

“This is a great way for us to continue attracting new customers and we know that our reputation for delivering the very best customer service will be a huge hit with Emirates Skywards members.”

Under the newly announced reward system, members can redeem flights from 8,000 Skywards Miles, inclusive of all fees and charges, to a range of destinations served by Jet2.com.

The UK’s third-largest airline operates from 14 airport bases, including London Gatwick from March 2026, flying to destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Canary Islands.