Egypt News

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Disabled holidays Spain

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Bars for sale Benalamadena

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Property in Spain

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:42:20 +0100

Property in Turkey

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Property in Turkey

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Property in Turkey

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Egypt's Technology Minister Announces New Investment Opportunities for American Businesses

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 16:33:39 +0200

On Monday, June 19, 2006 Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Tarek Kamel, will announce new investment opportunities for American businesses at a reception hosted by the Northern Virginia Technology Council and several other organizations.

Dr. Kamel is visiting this region to meet with U.S. business leaders to inform them about Egypt's recent developments in the ICT sector and announce a number of large foreign investment opportunities.

At a reception Monday evening, Paul Laudicina, the Vice President and Managing Director of A.T. Kearney's Global Business Policy Council, will announce the findings of a special report which they conducted on doing business in Egypt. Additionally, Mark McLaughlin, Executive Vice President for VeriSign, will sign an agreement with the Minister to provide a name server for Egypt. The Minister will be accompanied by a delegation of prominent technology leaders from Cairo, including the leadership of EITESAL (Egypt's technology association).

Egypt's leading technology companies currently demonstrate globally competitive corporate capabilities in formation systems; software development design, quality assurance, and maintenance; IP-based contact centers, fax servers, SMS applications, unified communication solutions, Internet/Intranet applications; and single-language localization services in Arabic. Egypt's leading ICT companies are currently doing business around the world and are both service providers and strategic partners with the world's leading ICT companies. Companies including Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Alcatel, and Intel are all significantly investing in Egypt demonstrating their confidence in the Egyptian market.

ENIs investment vital to Egypts development

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 16:32:49 +0200

Development of Egypt's natural gas industry, such as investments by Italian company ENI, will be vital for the future of the North African country's economy, Egyptian energy sector expert Magdi Sobhy said.

Sobhy, said that "Egypt is not a 'giant' of the energy sector, but oil and gas can without doubt represent the key element for the country's development."

He further referred to the role which foreign investors play in Egypt's economic growth, in particular energy giant ENI, which is the main international energy operator in the country.

This weekend ENI's CEO, Paolo Scaroni, will be in Egypt to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ENI's first oil extraction in the country.

ENI was the first foreign energy company to operate in Egypt in 1954 and in 2004 its share of the oil and natural gas production in Egypt averaged about 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

"The long-term presence of important foreign companies has also been crucial to the development of sector-knowledge, technical skills and to the training of specialised personnell, and today Egyptian technicians are among the most seeked," added Sobhy.

ENI was among the 'pioneers' of soil exploration in Egypt and, since the fifties, it has extended its operations to the field of fuels production, natural gas liquefaction and crude oil refinement, as well as the search of new oilfields.

ENI started its business in Egypt thanks to an agreement on soil exploration negotiated in the early fifties by former ENI chairman Enrico Mattei and former Egyptian president Gamal Abd el-Nasser.

The deal represented a total novelty in the oil industry, providing that, should any oilfields be found by ENI, the Egyptian government would have taken part in their management and development.

The first successful on-shore oilwell drilling was in Bala'im, Suez Gulf, in 1955. Subsequently, ENI was the first foreign company to set up a joint-venture with state-owned Egyptian General Petroleum Co. to start off-shore exploration in Egypt in 1961. The collaboration between ENI and the Egyptian national company in the exploration field has continued until present.

The Pharaohs' outspoken defender kicks up a dust storm

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 16:32:04 +0200

Zahi Hawass, the man selected to preserve Egypt's magnificent monuments, has never been timid about protecting his nation's heritage.

At a preview of a King Tut display at Chicago's Field Museum last month, Hawass, whose critics call him "the Show-Biz Pharaoh," a "media whore" and "part P.T. Barnum, part Indiana Jones," asked museum officials to remove one of the exhibition's corporate sponsors after learning its chief executive owned a 2,600-year-old Egyptian coffin. "Antiquities should be in museums, not in people's homes," he told those in attendance, referring to John W. Rowe, of Exelon, a Chicago energy company. Rowe immediately offered to send the sarcophagus to the museum on indefinite loan.

Also last month, Hawass gave St. Louis Art Museum director Brent Benjamin a May 15 deadline to return a 3,200-old funerary mask that Hawass says was illegally taken in the early 1990s from a storage facility near the site of its excavation. In April, he fired off a letter to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, asking him to return a 71-foot-high Egyptian obelisk in Central Park if he didn't start taking care of it. The pillar, which is in poor condition because of neglect, has been in the park since 1881 -- a gift from the Egyptian government in return for American aid in constructing the Suez Canal. Bloomberg has yet to reply, Hawass says.

Since Hawass became director of Egypt's 34,000-member Supreme Council of Antiquities in 2002, many Egyptologists agree that the feisty 59-year-old archaeologist has done more than anyone yet to bring Egyptian civilization to the world stage, appearing on cable television, writing newspaper articles, traveling the world giving lectures and launching exhibits of Egyptian treasures. Last month, Time magazine named him as one of the planet's "100 most influential people."

"He is the leader of an enormous organization that is faced with many challenges," says Willeke Wendrich, associate professor of Egyptian archaeology at UCLA. "He has taken significant steps to safeguard (Egypt's) cultural heritage."

Hawass is one of the Arab world's most recognized faces. Whether explaining ancient history on the Discovery or History channels or dispelling theories that aliens built the pyramids, the stodgy, silver-haired Hawass has become a familiar figure clad in blue jeans, blue work shirt and Indiana Jones-style hat. A National Geographic explorer-in-residence, he has several discoveries under his belt, including a cemetery for pyramid workmen at Giza and the Valley of the Golden Mummies in Bahariya.

Restoration of Rosetta

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 16:31:05 +0200

The Supreme Council of Antiquities has begun a comprehensive project to restore the mosques , houses and bathhouses of Rosetta and transform the town into an open museum. Rosetta was known as Rhyt ( meaning the common people) in pharaonic Egypt, Rakhit in Coptic , Rashid in Arabic and was Europeanized to Rosetta.

The ancient buildings include the Rosetta gate, the Abu Shahin mill , the Azuz Bathhouse and several fine houses. The date back to the Mamluk period and the beginning of the Ottoman period.

Meanwhile the Rosetta National Museum and the local centre for traditional handmade crafts will be undergoing renovations. The museum houses a replica of the Rosetta stone, the weapons used to defend Rosetta from occupation are displayes as well as pottery from the Islamic era.

Key archaeological finds in Sinai

An archaeological mission belonging to the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) announced the discovery of 36 tombs dating back to the pre-history era.

Dr. Zahi Hawwas, Secretary-General of SCA said that the mission unearthed the tombs during an archaeological survey in Ain Hadra and Abul Rdeis, central Sinai.

Queens mummy arrives in Cairo

The mummy of Queen Hatshepsut, which was brought from Luxor under the supervision of a committee from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), was discovered in the Valley of Kings at Luxor. The queen's mummy will be transferred to the Egyptian Museum in down- town Cairo .

A Royal Find in Valley of the Kings

Sun, 4 Jun 2006 13:57:35 +0200

Archaeologists have uncovered the first Intact tomb on the Nile's West Bank in 84 years in Egypt's Valley of the Kings,

In February, the team discovered the tomb designated KV 63 just feet away from the tomb of ancient Egypt's young celebrity pharaoh Tutankhamen.

Since then, the team has unearthed a trove of seven wooden coffins, about 20 storage jars, and more than a few oddities that are still being figured out.

All of this, even though many experts have argued that the Valley of the Kings the elaborate final resting places of the ancient society's kings and queens has nothing left to offer archaeology and Egyptology.

"When you least expect it sometimes, something just pops up," said professor Otto Schaden, field director of the Amenmesse Tomb Project of the University of Memphis. He also who discovered the tomb.

"We can only find what they leave us, you know? When you're digging, you never know what you're going to see next."

Schaden says the dig has many excited not just because it's the first tomb uncovered in the Valley since 1922, but because there are numerous signs that suggest there may be a mummy still waiting in one of the dig's two unopened coffins and that it may be connected to King Tut.

Breathing Life Back Into Valley of the Kings
Of the seven coffins discovered, two have yet to be opened and that's where not just Schaden, but many in the archaeology community, are hoping they'll find an important, perhaps royal mummy.

"One suggestion is that it may be the mummy of his wife, or [Egyptian Queen] Nefertiti, or possibly Tut's mother Kia," said James Phillips, professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois and an archaeologist with the Field Museum in Chicago.

Though Phillips says he's relying on reports out of the region, his theories are realistic possibilities considering the time period, where the tomb was discovered, and the fact that experts have been in search of the mummies of these women for 100 years.

Mubarak Says German Firms Plan Egypt Investment

Sun, 4 Jun 2006 13:56:56 +0200

DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes-Benz luxury car division and other German automakers are planning to build a plant for spare-part production in Egypt, said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

``We have learned today about a project by German companies including Mercedes and others,'' Mubarak told reporters in Berlin after an hour of talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. ``They want to start a large project in Egypt for spare parts and other services,'' Mubarak said without elaborating.

Mubarak, who paid his second visit to Berlin within two months to attend an Egyptian art exhibition in the German capital, said he expects Merkel to visit Egypt ``soon'' to discuss details of the corporate project. DaimlerChrysler had no immediate comment.

``We're expecting her in Egypt soon, so that Egypt will also become a centre for spare-part production for large companies,'' Mubarak said. Merkel said German-Egyptian ties are ``very close,'' without commenting on the planned investment.

Egypt expects more Chinese investment

Sun, 4 Jun 2006 13:56:00 +0200

Egypt expects more Chinese investment as the country embraces a better environment for foreign direct investment, Egyptian Minister of Investment Mahmoud Mohieddin said on Wednesday.

Mohieddin made the remarks at a press conference after he co- launched a workshop on Egypt's investment reform agenda with Richard Hecklinger, deputy secretary-general of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The minister particularly praised a latest Chinese investment of about 10 million U.S. dollars, which will help build a one-stop service building in the Suez industrial zone to provide convenient services for foreign investors.

Mohieddin, who is scheduled to visit China later this year on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Egypt and China, said that Egypt welcomes more Chinese investment in various sectors.

Based on a total of 3.3 billion dollars of foreign direct investment in the first half of the current fiscal year, which began on July 1, 2005, the minister said that his country is aimed at attracting a record high foreign direct investment of 6 billion dollars by end of this fiscal year, which will account for 5 percent of the country's GDP.

Egyptian Economy Growing Fast

Sun, 4 Jun 2006 13:55:19 +0200

Egypt has a story to tell. Economic growth for the first quarter of 2006 year reached 6.1 per cent, with inflation going down to around three per cent. Egypt's foreign currency reserves currently stand at almost $23 billion, thanks to higher net capital inflows generated from tourism and Suez Canal revenues. Foreign direct investments grew in 2004/2005 to reach $ 3.9 billion, which is an increase of around $2 billion from the year before.

The improved macro-indicators directly reflect the multi-faceted approach to reform recently adopted by the Egyptian government. When the new cabinet headed by Nazif was sworn in, in the summer of 2004, it tackled the immediate and pressing problems of investors, especially regarding the customs and tax regimes which many saw as over- bureaucratised and not offering sufficient incentives. Reforms in these two domains in particular have helped reinstate confidence in the economy. With its renewed emphasis on providing a better investment environment, the government is now hoping to attract the foreign investment needed to generate jobs in a market which absorbs some 700,000 new entrants every year. To this one may add a backlog of unemployed youth, some of whom have been without a job for over a decade. "Domestic investment is simply not sufficient to attain the desired growth rates of seven to eight per cent." says Tareq Allouba, International Finance Corporation (IFC) senior investment officer.

While striving to make investors' life easier, the government has also begun to speed up privatisation. The new momentum which the privatisation process has gained was lauded recently by an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission which described it as "exceeding expectations". The banking sector has also undergone reforms that are changing the face of the industry. The government's stake in joint-venture banks is now being speedily divested, with the long-awaited privatisation of the first of the four main public sector banks underway. Last April, interested buyers submitted their proposals for the purchase of a 75 to 80 per cent stake of the Bank of Alexandria.

Two other public sector banks, Banque du Caire and Banque Misr will be merged together later this year. With the finalisation of sale of Bank of Alexandria, and the merger of the two public sector banks, only two public sector commercial banks will be remaining in business.

The Egyptian banking sector is one area that has received an influx of foreign investment, with the entry of the Greek Piraeus Bank which purchased the Egyptian Commercial Bank and the expansion of the existence of Calyon Corporate and Investment Bank, part of the French Credit Agricole Group, through its purchase of the Egyptian American Bank. Société Général also grew its presence in the Egyptian market by buying out Misr International Bank. And the Lebanese Blom Bank took over Misr Romania Bank. Also, a consortium including Ripplewood Holdings, Eton Park Capital Management and RHJ International purchased the National Bank of Egypt's share in Commercial International Bank.

Visa on arrival for Indians visiting Egypt

Sun, 4 Jun 2006 13:54:44 +0200

Egypt will soon issue visa-on-arrival (VOA) for Indian tourists, which would give Indians the option of applying for visa after arriving in Egypt.

This was decided by the Egyptian tourism ministry recently. Before VOA was granted, it took a week for getting a visa to Egypt, which has an embassy in New Delhi and a consulate in Mumbai.

Around 57,000 Indians visited Egypt in 2005, a growth of 25 per cent from the previous year. After the grant of VOA, the numbers will be even better in future, said Sami Mohammad, Councellor, Egyptian Tourist Authority (ETA), Mumbai.

ETA expects the number of Indian tourists to Egypt to double in a couple of years. In March, ETA Chairman Ahmed Al Khadem had visited India to promote Egyptian tourism.

Over 8.6 million foreign tourists visited Egypt in 2005, a growth of 10 per cent from the previous year. Egypt, in the past, had offered VOA to US, Canada, western European countries, Malaysia, Korea and Japan.

Tourism is a major contributor to Egypt's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the largest foreign currency earner. The European market constitutes the largest generating market for International Tourist Arrivals (ITA) to Egypt.

Egypt Sets Currency Ceiling to Defend Export Competitiveness

Sun, 4 Jun 2006 13:53:52 +0200

Boutros-Ghali is to sell Egyptian pounds to prevent its currency appreciating below 5.75 per dollar to defend competitiveness of its exports and jobs, the finance minister said.

Egypt would ``prefer'' for the currency not to appreciate in a range stronger than 5.70 to 5.75 per dollar, Youssef Boutros- Ghali said in an interview in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el- Sheikh, where about 1,200 mainly Arab political and business leaders are gathering for the annual Middle East meeting of the World Economic Forum.

A stronger currency ``reduces your competitiveness, so your exports go down and what concerns us, employment goes down,'' Boutros-Ghali said in an interview. Merrill Lynch & Co. said last month Egypt's currency may gain against the dollar as faster economic growth boosts foreign currency reserves.

The dollar has declined 5.4 per cent versus the pound since December 2004, when Egypt's central bank set up an exchange for banks to trade currencies to improve their supply to the market. The pound, which the government floated in 2003, closed yesterday at 5.77 pounds per dollar.

Egypt last year reported record income in foreign currencies from tourism, oil and gas sales, and fees on ships passing through the Suez Canal that links the Mediterranean and Red seas.

Hotel For Sale Luxor

Fri, 2 Jun 2006 15:38:53 +0200

This hotel for sale in Luxor, Egypt is a modern hotel situated near the Nile, some 350 metres from Luxor Temple and Museum, and 15 kilometres from the airport. The 55 air- conditioned guestrooms are spread over four floors and have simple modern decor with wicker furnishings. All guestrooms open onto balconies and include satellite television, minibars, direct-dial telephones, and bathrooms with designer toiletries.
After a dip in the pool, hotel guests can relax with a drink at the poolside bar. The Restaurant is a buffet restaurant, serving continental and middle eastern food in a relaxed atmosphere. The Bistro Restaurant, situated in the foyer, serves light meals and drinks. After a meal, guests can chat over drinks in one of the bars, or take advantage of round the clock room service. The hotel has laundry facilities, and multilingual staff at the 24-hour front desk can exchange currency and advise on local amenities and attractions. Guests can visit the Luxor Temple and Museum 350 metres away, or the Karnak Temple three kilometres away. Luxor International Airport is 15 kilometres from the hotel, with an approximate driving time of 20 minutes.

Facilities:
Restaurant
Swimming pool
English style pub
Laundry service
Telephone and fax service (International)/Conference room.
Baby Food
Gift Shop
Bamboo styled, private balconies
Telephone
Color T.V
In-house video
Satellite T.V. channels

Area Activities:
Luxor Temple & Museum - 350 metres
Karnak Temple - 3 kilometres (2 miles)
Valley of the Queens - 25 kilometres (16 miles)
Valley of the Kings - 28 kilometres (17 miles)

Luxor Temple of Seti I

Sat, 27 May 2006 17:18:51 +0200

Seti I was the son of the pharaoh Ramses I (19th Dynasty), a general who became third in a line of non-royal Pharaohs. Ramses only ruled for about 2 years, and had no time to plan and build a mortuary temple of his own but his son Seti was an enthusiastic builder and completed temples in both Upper and Lower Egypt, including the magnificent temple to Osiris at Abydos.

Seti was one of the great warrior pharaohs of Egypt, and spent much of his reign repairing the damage, that the neglect of foreign affairs in the Amarna period under Akhenaten had done to Egypt's empire. Once he had subdued the rebellious tribes - he recovered territory from the Syrians, Hittites and Libyans - he concentrated on building his temples and his tomb and on restoring the temples of gods that had

Luxor Colossus of Memnon

Sat, 27 May 2006 17:18:14 +0200

Two giant quartzite statues known as the Colossi of Memnon are all that remain of the magnificent structure which was built as a mortuary temple for Amenophis III. Originally the statues flanked the pylon gates of the temple, now they sit side by side amid fields of corn with their hands placed neatly upon their knees, quietly facing east waiting for the rise of the new-born sun. On one side of Amenophis's feet stands the diminutive figure of his wife Queen Tiye and on the other side stands an equally diminutive figure of his mother Queen Mutemuia.

These two colossal statues were misnamed Memnon by the Greeks who thought that they represented the mighty Memnon who Achilles killed in the battle for Troy. In Roman times, wind passing through a crack in the northern statue gave out a baleful cry which was thought to be Memnon crying to his mother Eos. The crack appeared after an earthquake around 30 BC and stopped when Septimus Severus ordered its repair in 199 AD

Luxor Ramesseum

Sat, 27 May 2006 17:17:42 +0200

Ramses II followed his father Seti I as Pharaoh of all Egypt and ruled from 1279-1213 BC (19th Dynasty). He is perhaps the most well known of Egypt's Pharaohs and reigned for 67 years. In Thebes, his greatest building achievements were extensions to Karnak and Luxor Temples and completion of the tomb of his favourite wife Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens, but the one that would have been most important to him would be his own mortuary temple which he intended to last for a million years. Unfortunately, the place he chose to build it was prone to flooding and occasional earthquakes, which eventually caused its ruin.

Luxor Deir el Bahri

Sat, 27 May 2006 17:16:59 +0200

Although several women came close to serving as Egyptian Pharaohs, Hatshepsut was the only woman to rule in her own right (18th dynasty : 1479-1458 BC) However, to cement her unique position she was usually shown posing as a man wearing a pharaonic beard. Earlier in her life, she was married to her half-brother Tutmosis II but was widowed before she could bear him a son.

She may well have seen herself as the natural successor to her father Tutmosis I and probably did everything she could to cement her position as his heir even before he died, paving the way for her succession. On the uppermost terrace of the temple, is an inscription, allegedly attributed to him, that reads "he who shall do her homage shall live and he who shall speak evil in blasphemy of her Majesty shall die". This clearly shows her determination to claim Egypt's throne.

Luxor Medinet Habu

Sat, 27 May 2006 17:16:18 +0200

Ramses III reigned Egypt for 31 years (1184 -1153 BC) and like many pharaohs before him was a prodigious builder. As well as greatly enlarging the Medinet Habu (Habu's City) to become his mortuary palace, he built the wonderful Osiris courtyard in Karnak temple.

The Medinet Habu was a sacred site long before Ramses III started building there. It was a revered part of the creation myth and was believed to be where the Ogdoad (eight primeval gods) placed the egg from which the sun came, but Ramses' works made it the most beautiful of the Theban sites. The temple, which is of a similar design to the Ramesseum, is second in size only to Karnak but has a grace and symmetry that Karnak lacks. It was not just a mortuary temple as it incorporated Ramses' palace where he lodged on his visits to Thebes, his pleasure rooms where he entertained his harem, his government offices, a sacred lake and a Nilometer which measured the rise and fall of the river. The outer walls of the temple are also finely decorated and a mud-brick wall surrounds the whole complex

Luxor Deir el Medina

Sat, 27 May 2006 17:15:41 +0200

Deir el Medina is the Arabic term for Monastery of the City. In this instance 'Monastery' refers to the Coptic monastery that was built there much later and 'City' refers to the Medinet Habu, but originally the village was known simply as Pa-demi- 'the town'.

During the 18th - 20th New Kingdom Dynasties, this village was a hive of activity. Not only did guards protect it, but also entry to it was most likely restricted to those who lived there. Intruders were likely to be killed. The residents of its seventy houses were gifted artisans who had the favour of the Pharaohs for whom they prepared tombs in the Valley of the Kings- 'Houses of Eternity'.

It was the workers' task to dig, prepare, and decorate the tombs; and that made them holders of secrets. Not only did they know where the Pharaohs' tombs were they also knew precisely what was in them and that made the tombs vulnerable to robbers; consequently, the village was deliberately isolated.

However, as most tombs were actually robbed soon after their completion it appears that the villagers were not as entirely honest or free from gossip as the Pharaohs believed them to be. During their frequent visits to the riverside where they traded in animals and surplus goods including coffins, they could well have traded in information too.

The workers were split into two work parties, one to work on the right hand side of a tomb and one to work on the left-hand side. Once assigned to a working party an artisan would stay with that group for life. They spent eight or nine days out of a ten-day week away at the Valley of the Kings during which time they lived in temporary camps above the Valley and returned home at 'weekends'. This left the village mostly in the care of women and that might be why Bes, the goddess of childbirth became one of the village's principle deities

Luxor Western Valley

Sat, 27 May 2006 17:14:31 +0200

The Western Valley, which is also known as the Valley of the Baboons after the caches of mummified baboons that were found there, is a desolate but stunningly beautiful canyon off the Valley of the Kings. The Valley is the home of Meretseger, a local goddess whose name means "She who loves Silence".
Despite the crowds flocking into the nearby Valley of the Kings, the silence in this lonely place is palpable.

There are four known tombs here but three of them are closed. The closed tombs include the unused tomb of King Akhenaten , the tomb of Amenhotep (Amenophis) III and a large a tomb which appears to have been used mainly as a storage area for other tombs. King Akhenaten's tomb is large and well finished but despite this, he was buried in Amarna the place he chose to be his new capital. The entrance to his tomb was recently used as a substitute for King Tutankhamun's tomb in the BBC's 2005 production of the explorations of Carter, Champollion and Belzoni.

The open tomb is that of King Ay , which was discovered by Belzoni in 1816 but was opened to the public only in the 1990's. Ay's reign lasted only four years (1339-1335 BC) and he was not of royal blood but became king only by default after the death of the young King Tutankhamun who he has often been accused of murdering. Recent studies indicate that that Tutankhamun did not meet a violent death but the notion that he died of natural causes is not as intriguing as having him part of a plot, so Ay is still likely to continue to be unjustly accused.

Luxor Valley Of The Queens

Sat, 27 May 2006 17:13:44 +0200

The Valley of the Queens is a small desolate craggy area on the southern edge of the Theban hills and it was used as a cemetery long before the first Pharaoh was laid to rest at the northern end of the range in the larger Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Queens could have been chosen as a burial place not only for its isolation but because water flows "miraculously" from one of its rocks after a storm making it a place of mystery and renewal. It is known locally as Biban el Harem, "Gates of the Harem" but its original name was "Place of Beauty." The modern name "Valley of the Queens" appears to have come primarily from the fabulously decorated tomb that Ramses II prepared for his wife Nefertari.

Although the area looks insignificant, there were many more burials in the Valley than anyone would imagine and about eighty tombs have been found, although very few of them are of Queens. In fact more Queens appear to have been buried in the 'lost cemetery' that Carter located above the Valley of the Kings than are buried in this Valley. Most of the tombs here are of Princes and others could be of Priests who adopted Royal titles during the breakdown in government control in the later part of the 20th dynasty. Among the tombs whose owners are known are those of: Queen Sit-re the wife of Ramses I, Queen Tuy the wife of Seti I, Queen Nefertari and six daughter/wives of Ramses II. Also buried there are two wives of Ramses III, five of his sons and several viziers of Tutmosis I.

Luxor Temple

Sat, 27 May 2006 17:12:27 +0200

The first glimpse many visitors have of this temple is from the Nile when their cruise liner docks alongside the Corniche el Nil. From there, it is easy to visualise the sacred barques that long ago brought the god Amun-Min and his wife Mut down the river from Karnak for their annual honeymoon during the Opet Festival. The temple is clearly visible from the Corniche and at night makes a spectacular sight as its courtyards and statues are floodlit until the temple closes.

The original temple was small and honoured the annual Opet Festival which was held in the second month of summer when the Nile was in flood. This early structure had shrines built by Hatshepsut which were later augmented by her brother Tutmosis III, but there are signs of a temple being there from the Middle Kingdom era. The older parts of the temple were mainly dismantled and re-used when construction of the larger temple began and there is now little visual evidence of them. During Amenophis's reign, the temple became known as the "Harem of the South" and it gained the magnificence that we see today.

The Sinai stretch

Mon, 22 May 2006 13:37:39 +0200

Fancy a relaxing yoga break without the sky-high price tag? Esther Shaw heads to Egypt for a week of sun, sand and Salutations

After no-frills flying and low-cost cruises, it had to happen: Yoga on a Shoestring. That's more than just a concept, it's an organisation set up four years ago by a dynamic woman named Sue Pendlebury. And in March, it lured me to a place that, by April, would be shorthand for yet another terrorist outrage: Dahab, on Egypt's Sinai peninsula.

It's not as though I've never done yoga; I did try it out for a few weeks when I was travelling in India. But that was six years ago, before I'd succumbed to all-too-many of the vices attached to being a journalist. So, when my best friend suggested that it might "do me good" to join her on a healthy week of retreat and relaxation, I agreed.

The temptation of the sunshine and the Red Sea did, I confess, play more than a small part in my decision - as did the idea of increasing my flexibility at the same time as my tan. But apart from this, I liked the idea of embarking upon a spot of "self-improvement", with the hope of discovering some much-needed inner calm along the way.

Sue Pendlebury set up Yoga on a Shoestring (YOAS) to "make yoga breaks affordable for more people". She now organises trips in the UK and France, as well as to India, Bali and, of course, Egypt. We flew to Sharm el-Sheikh, the location of last July's bomb attacks in which nearly 100 people died. Although Sharm is the Sinai's best-known (and most-developed) holiday destination, we were heading an hour north-east of there - a scenic drive through miles of desert and Bedouin settlements - to Dahab. We were staying at the Amanda Hotel, a simple but more-than-adequate place and were welcomed by our two yoga teachers - and a spread of grilled fresh fish, vegetables and salad.

We made the early mistake of asking for a beer to go with our dinner - the hotel didn't stock it, and the teachers didn't drink. But the hotel staff soon rounded up a few bottles from a neighbouring bar, and our teachers were happy to let us consume them - as long as we were sure to be up at 8.30 the next morning for our first yoga lesson.

Next morning, I made my way to the light and airy yoga studio that looks straight out over the waves to Saudi Arabia. The sun was already high in the sky, drenching the dramatic shoreline of the Red Sea in a deep golden light. Within minutes, I was lying flat on my back on a yoga mat, inhaling the delicate scent of a joss stick and listening to gentle chanting, while trying to clear my head of all its thoughts and concentrate on my breathing.

Minister: Egypts tourism will bounce back in weeks

Mon, 22 May 2006 13:37:15 +0200

The tourism industry in Egypt will bounce back within weeks, following the explosions in Dahab on April 24, according to the Egyptian Tourism Minister, Zoheir Garannah, in an exclusive interview with Middle East Economic Digest (MEED).

We are confident in our product and that people will continue to travel here. The main impression that the attacks left was one of peoples solidarity, said Garannah.

The minister referred to the tourism industrys increasing resilience: Egypt took two years to recover after the massacre in Luxor in 1997, and six months to bounce back after the Sharm El Sheikh attack in July 2005.

The recovery is likely to take three weeks this time, he said. The threat is less from cancellations than from a decrease in new bookings.

Tourism is one of the pillars of the Egyptian economy, with 8.6 million visitors a year and 170,000 hotel rooms. The government has targeted an additional 50,000 new rooms and 1 million new visitors every year. This growth will create 200,000 new jobs a year.

Garannah explained: One of the advantages in our tourism development at the moment is that it is all driven by the private sector. We see developers coming in to launch integrated mixed-use developments some the size of new cities.

Egypt Real Estate Booming

Sun, 7 May 2006 15:39:14 +0200

An average commuter driving on Cairos ring road might look out over swaths of partially completed apartment complexes and react with frustration at the eyesore. Galal Farag, managing director of export powerhouse Ideal Standard, sees opportunities in every direction.

The population now has reached about 73 million, Farag says with a sense of astonishment. Of course, with this increase, the real estate market in Egypt is booming. If you look at how many new companies have established in this field, it is an indicator of how this country still needs factories to fill the requirements of real estate in Egypt. The new cities like Sixth of October, Tenth of Ramadan and El-Obour need... vitreous china [ceramic bowls and sinks], brass fittings [and] acrylic bathtubs, every day.

As a market leader in the bathroom and kitchen fixtures industry, Ideal Standard, a subsidiary of legendary producer American Standard, has expanded quickly since its inception to include five factories in Tenth of Ramadan that produce its core products. Its first vitreous china plant opened in 1984, an acrylic bathtub and shower enclosure plant followed in 1986 and brass fittings in 1987. With a second acrylic bathtub plant finished just last March, American Standard has increased its investment in Egypt to LE 350 million from LE 5 million in just over 20 years.

Every time they prepared to build a new plant, our company recieved a lot of help from the government, either from the Tenth of Ramadan administration or from the investment authority, Farag says.

Will the bombs in Egypt scare Brits away?

Sun, 7 May 2006 15:38:34 +0200

The Egyptian government must step up security in major resorts or risk further terrorist attacks and a drop in tourism, say UK tour operators.

The three bomb explosions that killed 24 people and injured 85, including two Britons, on Monday in the Red Sea resort of Dahab represent the third attack in the Sinai peninsula in the past 18 months. Three explosions in Sharm El Sheikh killed 63 people, including 11 from Britain, last July and an attack in Taba in October 2004 killed 34.

The World Travel and Tourism Council expects bookings to be affected only in the short term, encouraged by figures that showed Egypt had 8.5 million visitors in 2005, its largest influx ever, despite the Sharm bombings. By the end of 2007, Cairo airport's capacity is expected to have doubled to 20 million arrivals a year.

While tour operators tried to remain optimistic, some wondered how far tourist resilience could be pushed. 'There must be a breaking point,' said Philip Breckner of Discover Egypt. 'People don't want to give in to terrorists, but whether they will say that after another three or four bombs I don't know.'

Egypt witnessing record growth in tourist traffic

Sun, 7 May 2006 15:37:50 +0200

Egypt is experiencing record-breaking growth in tourism numbers, achieving a total of 8.6 million visitors in 2005, and poised to welcome an additional one million in 2006.

The Middle East alone accounted for about 20 per cent of the nations global tourism traffic last year and we expect that number to increase by as much as 30 per cent this year, said Ahmed Al Khadem, Chairman of the Egyptian Tourist Authority in a Press conference held yesterday during the Arab Travel Market. Middle Eastern tourists and the GCC visitors in particular are a very important part of our tourism industry and are welcome guests in out country.

For example, the number of visitors from the UAE alone was 74,000 tourists from January to March this year. This number forms a 40 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, he said. The industry is growing at such a rate that is seems set to break the 2005 record of 85 million tourist nights spent throughout the countrys 170,000 hotel rooms. A number of factors are contributing to the fast-paced growth of Egypts tourism sector, which is valued at 11 per cent of the total Egyptian economy, making it the second largest industry and the second largest employment-provider sector. These include a range of exciting new attractions, in addition to the industry-wide shift to year-round tourism.

This move towards year-round tourism has built upon the nations traditional historic, cultural attractions, and sea-side resorts, adding a range of new attractions. These include world-class shopping facilities, entertainment and leisure venues, fully integrated mixed use resorts and developments, modern and efficient airports, and superb spa and wellness facilities.

Taba Heights review

Sun, 7 May 2006 15:36:55 +0200

On the Sinai Peninsula lies Egypts Red Sea Riviera, Taba Heights. Boasting picturesque bays, breathtaking dive spots and first-class accommodations, Taba Heights is fast becoming Egypts premiere tourist destination. Located between Taba and Nuweiba, Taba Heights is developing at a rapid rate and will provide tourists with some of attractive and luxurious accommodation in the Middle East if not globally.

Having realized the potential of Taba several years ago, InterContinental Hotels Group, the worlds most global hotel company, have opened the doors to their most recent five star developments. This latest property takes the number of hotels currently under the Groups management to 12.

The resort, situated on the northernmost tip of the Gulf of Aqaba and located 35km from Taba International Airport, rests on a prime water front location boasting sandy white beaches, turquoise waters and stunning desert scenery securing it as a year round destination.

InterContinental Resort Taba Heights is part of Taba Heights, a 4.2 million square meter destination.

The 503-room property, encompassing twenty seven junior, seven executive and one Presidential Suite is spread out over three buildings; the Pentagon, Atrium, & the Crescent. Walkways and paths surrounded by the lush tropical gardens of the resort, link the three buildings, with each room offering guests superb views over the idyllic coastline, pool, lagoon or mountains.

Egypt set to become a regional leader in shopping tourism

Sun, 7 May 2006 15:36:06 +0200

Government officials in Egypt have confirmed today that visitor numbers to the country are increasing dramatically, thanks in large part to Gulf Arabs who make their way to the region's largest country for short breaks designed to take advantage of world class shopping now on offer.

'Shopping has now become an important part of the holiday experience,' said H. E. Zoheir Gharana, Minister of Tourism. 'Egypt appeals to tourists not only for its cultural sites, but now for its shopping - be it the latest trends in Italian fashion or Egyptian-made fine goods.'

Best known for its rich history, sandy beaches, and vibrant culture, Egypt is moving quickly in building its tourism portfolio to include shopping as a key attraction for holiday-makers.

Situated at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Europe, Egypt has long been a key site for international trade, commerce and tourism. Its rich history as a market of rare and precious goods has enticed travellers to its souks abounding with luxurious textiles and high-quality gold and jewellery.

Recent economic reforms have stimulated the emergence of new malls, the deregulation of foreign textiles and an ever-growing number of tourists. All of these factors place Egypt at the forefront of an increasingly competitive regional shopping tourism segment.

'This past year, Egypt posted record-breaking numbers with 8.1 million tourists having visited. From the Gulf alone, tourist numbers have risen over 50% since this time last year, partly due to the many holidaymakers who have chosen Egypt for weekend shopping get-aways,'

Egyptian Tourist Authority launches website.

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 16:12:27 +0200

The Egyptian Tourist Authority is launching its new official website http://www.egypt.travel

The new portal provides information on everything from Egypt's historical and cultural attractions through to its beautiful beaches and activity based holidays including diving, safaris, yachting and golfing.

In addition, http://www.egypt.travel contains a news section with all the latest information on Egypt, a monthly events section highlighting all the main festivals and events taking place across the country through to the latest archaeological discoveries, such as the 3500 year old mummies found in Luxor.

http://www.egypt.travel also provides visitors with travel information such as visa requirements and useful phone numbers ensuring each visitor has all the necessary information to plan an enjoyable stay in Egypt.

Visitors to the site can also access an interactive newsletter which provides further information for individual requests on places to visit and any other additional information that may not be available on the main site.

Egyptian tourism officials welcome record regional tourist numbers in 2006.

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 16:11:51 +0200

With record-breaking global tourism figures propelling Egypt into its seventh millennia, the country is set to introduce an all new approach to marketing itself regionally at this year's annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) exhibition and conference, taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 2 through 5 May.

Last year Egypt received a record-setting 8.6 million tourists and is experiencing growth of up to 60% in some Middle Eastern markets alone.

The 'Nawart Masr' ('You Light Up Egypt!') campaign comes as the successor to the much praised 'Ebtesamet Misr Ma Tetneseesh' campaign which was present throughout the Middle East in last year.

The new campaign - which is expected to contribute to more than 30% growth among Middle Eastern holidaymakers visiting Egypt each year - puts Arab visitors at the centre of its appeal, drawing on the Egypt's natural beauty, culture, entertainment, and food to remind Gulf, Levant, and North African Arabs why they fell in love with Egypt the first time they visited, while highlighting all that is new and exciting.

'Egypt is proud to show its new face at Arabian Travel Market 2006, because we have so much of which to be proud - new hotels, new restaurants, new airports, new residential tourism offerings, even new ancient treasures which have recently been discovered, 'said Ahmed El Khadem, Chairman of the Egyptian Tourist Authority.

Cairo International has teamed with premier airport management group to place its airport on the map.

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 16:11:25 +0200

Cairo International Airport has a clear-cut ambition: "We want to become both a passenger and cargo hub, particularly in the MENA region," says Ibrahim Ahmed Manaa, chairman of Egyptian Holding Co. for Airports and Air Navigation. "We want to rise to global competitive levels according to international standards and start to gradually apply air transport liberalization policies."

The aim to elevate CAI's function and future started just over three years ago when the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation formed two holding companies, one for national carrier EgyptAir incorporating seven subsidiaries and a second for airports and ATC activities. EHCAAN controls four companiesCairo Airport Co., Egyptian Airports Co., National Air Navigation Services and Aviation Information Technology. CAA is the regulatory body.

The first steps in Cairo Airport's privatization coincided with the launch of a "very aggressive" investment program to upgrade existing facilities and build a new Terminal 3, Manaa tells AE&T. The airport, located about 20 km. northeast of the city, has seven arrival and departure halls spread out over two terminals. Terminal 1, also known as the Old Airport, was inaugurated in 1963 and has an annual passenger capacity of 6.5 million. Terminal 2 dates from 1984 and can accommodate up to 3.5 million passengers annually. T1 has 67 check-in counters, T2 60. T1 has 12 gates, three of which are double-level for large aircraft and all of which use bus transfer between terminal and aircraft. T2 has seven gates with 10 passenger boarding bridges.

There are 131 aircraft stands, of which nine are contact stands, and three runways. Runway 05R/23L is 3,300 m. long, 05L/23R has a length of 4,000 m. and 16/34 is 3,180 m. All are 60 m. wide. Plans for a fourth runway, to be built south of the existing airfield, have been approved. It will be 4,000 m. by 65 m. "and thus A380 compliant," Manaa notes. He proudly adds that the new T3 will have three contact gates able to accommodate the giant. He admits that no carrier has yet indicated it might operate the A380 into Cairo, but he laughs, "We hope that maybe Emirates will do so.

Dubai based DEPA inks deal on prestigious shoreline apartments.

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 16:10:13 +0200

Locally-based specialist interiors company DEPA Dubai LLC, a division of Depa United Group, revealed today that it has been awarded the contract for the prestigious Palm Jumeirah Shoreline apartments.

DEPA has been commissioned to complete the interior design and complete fitting out of 10 apartment blocks that comprise a significant portion of the Shoreline complex.

The ten apartment blocks comprise six sea-side buildings of 724 apartments, 12 penthouses and 3 clubhouses as well as four channel-side buildings which include 486 apartments and 8 penthouses.

Due for completion by end September 2006, this is the most challenging deadline for project achievement in the company's history within the region, if not the world.

InterContinental Hotels Group Unveils Majestic Taba Heights Resort Property.

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 16:08:50 +0200

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened its newest hotel in the Middle East, InterContinental Resort Taba Heights. Taba Heights is one of the newest developments in Egypt, between the backdrop of the Sinai desert and the waters of the Red Sea.

As the largest operator of hotels in the Middle East, IHG now boasts 12 properties in Egypt and seven InterContinental hotels in the area, with the opening of this luxury five-star resort hotel.

The resort, situated on the northernmost tip of the Gulf of Aqaba and located 35km from Taba International Airport, rests on a prime water-front location boasting sandy white beaches, turquoise waters and stunning desert scenery securing it as a year round destination.

InterContinental Resort Taba Heights is part of Taba Heights, a 4.2million square metre destination and one of Egypts latest and most beautiful resort developments on the Sinais Red Sea coast, encompassing 5km of beachfront.

The Red Sea - Thats Egypt isn't it?

Sun, 2 Apr 2006 15:29:42 +0200

And a great deal more. This extraordinary body of saltwater is a spectacular haven for coral life and is steeped in legend and ancient history. Handily, it is also an increasingly accessible holiday destination that offers far more than the average resort strip. The lands of the pharaohs roll back on one side, while the sea resonates biblical significance, particularly the story from Exodus in which the waters parted to save the Israelites from the Egyptian army: "And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea..."

In terms of today's geopolitical divisions, the Red Sea is bordered by Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea to the west, with Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen to the east. It is, in effect, a watery divide between Africa and the Middle East. It comprises an offshoot, or basin, of the Indian Ocean, which flows into it through a narrow opening of only 17 miles or so at the Bab al Mandab strait in the south.

To the north, a thin slit into the Mediterranean has existed since 1869, when the Suez Canal was completed. Because it is cut off from major ocean currents and has no large rivers feeding it, the Red Sea remains amazingly still, clear and warm, hence the abundant coral and rich animal life it supports, from vibrant shoals of parrotfish and other piscatorial species to sea turtles, dolphins and pelicans.

Why the "Red Sea"?

The Greeks called these waters Arabicus Sinus, referring to the obvious narrowness of this ribbon of sea. The name Red Sea was coined later and is altogether more perplexing. It is thought by some to be a mistranslation of the Semitic name meaning "Sea of Reeds". Another explanation is that the Red Sea is so called because it periodically turns a faint red - from seasonal blooms of a type of cyanobacteria, tiny algae with a reddish pigment that live near the surface of the water. Yet another theory takes a more poetic tack and suggests that reflections of the area's fiery sunrises and sunsets, coupled with its red ranges of mountains, were the inspiration. But while no one is quite sure of the derivation of the name, there's an increasing consensus that the Red Sea is a prime place for winter sun.

Where are the main resorts?

Much of the beach action is in the north around the Red Sea's Gulf of Aqaba. Here, Israel and Jordan both have significant resort toe-holds, respectively at Eilat and Aqaba. The former is a booming seaside city with a population of around 36,000; the latter, visible across the water, is smaller and, as yet, less commercial. Both offer good beaches and watersports, and while Eilat provides a wide choice of accommodation, Aqaba is less frenetic and makes an amenable jumping-off point for trips to Jordan's phenomenal sites of Wadi Rum and Petra.

Egypt, meanwhile, offers four resorts on the east coast of the Sinai Peninsula, facing the Gulf of Aqaba. Taba at the top is a short hop from the Israeli border and remains fairly quiet, although the new development of Taba Heights is increasingly popular. An hour or so south, the port town of Nuweiba offers magnificent beaches and several very serviceable hotels. Dahab, further south again, is laid-back hippy-chic, while at the southern tip Sharm-el-Sheikh presents five-star luxury along with a generous choice of watersports and sandy beaches merging into desert landscape. This was the location for the terrorist attack in July in which more than 70 people died. Since then, security has been stepped up all the way along the coast.

Further south again, across the Red Sea on the coast of the eastern Sahara, Hurghada is more lively and down to earth than Sharm, and generally cheaper, too. It is conveniently situated about a four-hour drive from the antiquities of Luxor. Around 30km along the coast from this thriving centre is the new resort of El Gouna, a purpose-built development, elegantly devised with a network of canals crossed by stone bridges - rendering it the self-styled "little Venice of the Red Sea".

Hey, Big Spender: Stay a While.

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:52:38 +0200

The Ministry of Tourism is launching a national and international campaign to encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more and feel a little more welcome

Tourism revenues have skyrocketed in the last few years as Egypt has redefined itself to European visitors as primarily a sun and sand location along the Red Sea, reaching $6.4 billion in 2005, up from $5.5 billion in 2004. The governments efforts to support the industry are clear, with HC Securities estimating that in the 2005-06 budget, 5% of the services funding, or LE 9.6 billion, is earmarked for tourism.

According to Mahmoud El-Kaissouni, chairman of the board of the Egyptian Tourism Federation, the Ministry of Tourisms top priority is to expand national and international publicity campaigns to promote tourism in Egypt. The Egyptian Tourism Federation, similar to a syndicate, represents both managers and employees working in the tourism industry.

The ministry plans to extend the domestic media campaign for a period of five years, to encourage domestic tourism and to shape public response to foreign tourists. The campaign will encourage all sectors of society to treat tourists as dear and important guests who are vital to the economy in Egypt and whose revenue improves the standard of living.

Boeing and AMC Airlines

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:52:00 +0200

A charter airline operating out of Cairo, today announced the delivery of the airline's first 737-800 with Blended Winglets. AMC's new 737-800 departed Boeing Field on Friday for a shuttle flight to its home base at Cairo International Airport.

AMC will operate four Boeing 737-800s, acquired via GECAS, as part of its initial plans for upgrade and expansion of its fleet. The airline was successfully launched in 1994 as an extension of Aircraft Maintenance Company which was established in 1988 by owner and President Elsayed Saber and his family.

"The Next-Generation 737-800 was the logical choice for us because it is the only aircraft in its class capable of performing the mission as we've defined it," said Mr. Saber. "The airplane has unmatched reliability and overall operating efficiency, allowing us the range to fly fully loaded to and from Egypt to the most northern parts of Europe and our other distant markets."

Amadeus and Thomas Cook extend their partnership for four years

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:51:17 +0200

Amadeus and Thomas Cook extend their partnership for four years

Amadeus and Thomas Cook have extended their partnership by signing a global agreement. The deal adds Egypt to the list of markets where the companies work together, and extends their partnership for another four years.

The agreement also covers Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Poland, UK, India and Sri Lanka. Thomas Cook, the largest travel agent in Egypt, with this deal, will become Amadeus largest travel agency customer in the country.

Egypt is a key growth market for Amadeus: according to the Egyptian Tourism Authority 8.6 million more people visited the country in 2005 than in 2004. The authority expects 10 percent growth for 2006 too, stated Amadeus.

Gillian Gibson, vice president, Multinational Customer Group, Amadeus, said, Thomas Cooks decision to expand the scope of our global agreement shows how seriously we take our role as technology partner to the travel industry.

Travel - Egypts Final Frontier

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 16:07:41 +0200

Egypts Red Sea Riviera conjures images of endless turquoise waters hugging soft, sandy beaches; five-star hotels and spa pampering; ice-cold drinks as you tan in the year-round sunshine; bustling nightlife in cities that never sleep. In the furthest corner of Egypts coastline, however, lies a completely different, though equally charming experience: Shalateen. The brilliant sun, azure sea and mesmerizing scenery are indeed here, but the rest of the resort package is a little difficult to find.

Shalateen is located about 1,000 kilometers south of Cairo, 550 kilometers from Hurghada and less than 300 kilometers from Port Sudan. From a small human settlement, this outpost has evolved outside the usual tourist circuit into one of the most vibrant trading towns in southern Egypt.

The Camel Market, one of Shalateens most memorable attractions, lies in the vast backyard of this small town and has thousands of camels on display. Buyers from all across Egypt converge here to choose from the different breeds brought by herders who come from Sudan on foot. Some buyers want fine-looking white camels, possibly for tourist-related businesses; others look for strong, well-built camels that can handle hard labor, while many are just looking for pounds of meat.

Trading in Shalateen is not just about camels. Giant trucks are seen around every corner of the market area: old, blue Bedford trucks that come all the way from Sudan carrying the finest of spices and frankincense. In exchange, they drive home with loads and loads of sponge and light plastic fabricants no wonder locals call them the Sponge Trucks. The newer ZY trucks, or Zetwaay, are almost double in size and are slowly replacing their older counterparts.

The unofficial census of Shalateen reflects about 10,000 inhabitants, a fraction compared to the metropolis of Cairo. Nevertheless, Shalateen is very cosmopolitan on a much smaller scale. The community is composed of three tribes: Bisharin, which represents the majority of the population, Ababda, a smaller tribe, and Rashayda, a minority with only a few thousand people.

The Beja tribe, one of the main ethnic groups around the Red Sea Mountains, extends from Southern Egypt to Eastern Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea. The Beja can be divided into four smaller groups: Bisharin, Ababda, Hadendoa and Beni Amer. Only the first two tribes inhabit Egyptian territories, and both originally spoke different dialects of a spoken language called To-Bedawie, more commonly known as Rotana. The Ababda tribe now speaks Arabic, while Bisharin still cling to their mother tongue though they also know Arabic. The Rashayda, on the other hand, form a non-indigenous, Arabic-speaking tribe that originated in Saudi Arabia, from which they were expelled in 1846.

Egyptian economic growth rate up 6.1%

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 16:13:32 +0200

Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif said on Tuesday 14/3/2006 that Egypt stands as a promising investment hub especially in the sectors of infrastructure, energy and Information Technology.

In his speech at the Euromoney conference under the title "Egypt: A Commitment to Reform", Nazif said the climate was suitable to attract more investments in various fields, especially in the sectors of infrastructure, industry, oil, natural gas and information technology. He added that the annual economic growth rate in Egypt had risen for the first time to 6.1% in the last quarter of 2005. Inflation has fallen dramatically from a whopping 18.1% two years ago to just 3.1% this year.

As for real income, Nazif said it increased by 20% as a result of reduced taxes and higher salaries in the public and private sectors. Direct foreign investments in 2005-2006 have amounted to $1.8 billion in comparison to $1.1 billion last year, recording an increase of 83%, the premier noted.

Overseas property buyers begin looking to Egypt.

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 16:15:12 +0200

Egypt is appearing on the radar screens of overseas buyers. The property market in Egypt is predicted to flourish over the next five years, according to experts.

At first, the North African country might seem like an unlikely destination in which to buy an overseas property, particularly when there are emerging markets closer to the UK.

But with flights now available for less than £300 and taking only five hours, the holiday home and property investment market is starting to take off.

Official figures show that the number of British visitors to Egypt has increased by a third since 2000, with 345,000 visits by Britons in 2004.

Most of these head to the Red Sea Rivieras main resort of Sharm El Sheikh, which has good infrastructure including both an airport and a modern hospital.

Others head to Marsa Alam, located near the Tropic of Cancer, which is an up-and-coming tourist destination that is becoming increasingly popular with residential buyers.

Peter Jennings from Elite properties Egypt said: "It is an emerging market and therefore in its infancy for overseas buyers but with the Egyptian government marketing Egypt for residential tourism this year, the profile of the property market will be raised yet further."

Nagi Azab of tour operator Pyramisa Egypt added: "We expect the property market in Egypt to build substantially over the next five years. The market is flourishing at the moment and has been for the past few years with capital growth exceeding 100 per cent in some areas such as the Red Sea Riviera."

Studios, villas, residential complexes and land suitable for development are among the property for sale in Luxor, Hughada and Sharm El Sheikh.

Plans to boost Middle East Tourism

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 16:14:13 +0200

Munir Nasser told more than 400 leaders from the international tourism industry that "tourism in the Mideast would overcome the repercussions of instability" and "we can expect to attract investment in the hotel, spa and airport sectors."

He spoke at "the Middle East Travel and Tourism Summit 2006" conference held on the Jordanian shore of the Dead Sea. The two-day event has gathered tourism ministers, aviation, real estate property developers from some 20 countries, including Britain, Egypt, Iran and Turkey. Israel is not participating in the venue.

Held under the patronage of Jordan's King Abdullah, organizers including, the U.K. Trade and Investment organization and Jordan's Tourism Board, said they hoped to see increased cooperation between private and public sectors in the tourism industry and regional tourism development.

"The cooperation we've had so far between the private and public sectors is giving the right kind of push forward," Nasser told The Associated Press on the sidelines of the conference.

He said Jordan's choice for the meeting's venue "shows people are convinced about the stability and security of the country despite the difficulties we faced," a reference to the November 9 triple hotel attacks in Amman that killed 63 people, including the three bombers.

Al Qaeda in Iraq claimed responsibility for the suicide blasts at three Western-based hotels.

Nasser said despite last year's blasts, Jordan for the first time earned over Jordanian one billion dinars ($1.4 billion) from its tourism industry.

But he said a plan launched by Abdullah two years ago to increase tourism revenues to the country aims to reach Jordanian 1.7 billion dinars ($2.4 billion) by 2010.

"We want to create 51,000 additional jobs in the industry," Nasser said.

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