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More hurdles could delay opening of Egypt’s new administrative capital

The resignations of two executives of the company managing the new administrative capital project in Cairo have raised questions about the project and its feasibility in light of the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

A picture taken on Nov. 2, 2017, in Cairo shows the logo of the Administrative Capital for Urban Development.
A picture taken on Nov. 2, 2017, in Cairo shows the logo of the Administrative Capital for Urban Development, which is managing the project of the new administrative capital. — KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

On Aug. 22, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Zaki Abdeen submitted his resignation as chair of the Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD), which he joined five years ago in 2017, citing health problems and his desire to retire, local media reported.

The ACUD is the owner and developer of the new administrative capital in Egypt. The company is co-owned by the Egyptian military and the Ministry of Housing. 

The new capital, located about 28 miles east of Cairo, has been under construction since 2015.

On the same day Abdeen resigned, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a presidential decision appointing Deputy Minister of Housing for National Projects Khaled Abbas as chairman of the board of directors of the ACUD.

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