Mr. Alaa Farouk - Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and Major General Dr. Khaled Megawer - Governor of North Sinai, laid the foundation stone today for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the Desert Research Station in Sheikh Zuweid. This project aims to revitalize one of the most important scientific and research institutions in the Sinai Peninsula, reflecting the Egyptian state's commitment to development and reconstruction.
The Minister of Agriculture was accompanied by Eng. Mustafa El Sayyad - Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Eng. Magdy Abdullah - the Minister's Technical Advisor, and Dr. Hossam Shawky - Head of the Desert Research Center.
Also present at the foundation stone laying ceremony were Eng. Hassan Mustafa - Senior Vice Chairman of the Arab Contractors Company (the project's contractor), Eng. Ramzy Mustafa – AC Executive Board Member and Head of the Canal & Sinai Sector, Eng. Ahmed Abdel Hamid – Manager of Sinai Branch, and Eng. Mohamed Abdo - Deputy Manager of Sinai Branch. The reconstruction work, being implemented by the Arab Contractors Company, will erase the damage and destruction inflicted on the station during periods of unrest in Sheikh Zuweid and past acts of terrorism.
The station including the Plant Gene Bank for the Egyptian deserts covers an area of 18 feddans. It serves as the main station of the Desert Research Center in North Sinai and represents one of the key pillars of research activity in the governorate. The Desert Research Center operates 11 research stations nationwide, including 5 stations in Sinai, in addition to 3 integrated agricultural development service centers in Sinai. This reflects the strategic importance of the region within scientific research plans and sustainable agricultural development efforts.
The Minister, the Governor, and their accompanying delegation toured the station, inspected several greenhouses, and reviewed samples of products from the Desert Research Center as well as Sinai-produced goods. They also listened to a comprehensive briefing on the works planned for the rehabilitation of the station.