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The UAE is a friend Egypt trusts

The UAE had carried out several developmental projects in Egypt that benefited more than 10 million people in poor areas located in 23 governorates

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has been lauded by Egyptians for his support for the country.
We consider this visit important since it followed a meeting between members of the Gulf Cooperation Council and US President Barack Obama. The visit also came shortly after King Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia visited Egypt, and this signifies special relations between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates that is deep and historic, based on shared destiny and mutual cooperation since the 1970s.
These relations are an example of how brothers should treat one another. This is relationship that is not based on personal interests, but depends on cooperating in many fields.
Shaikh Mohammed's visit made Egyptians remember the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He believed Egypt should remain a powerful state and said, "What the UAE is doing for Egypt is like a drop of water in a sea compared to what Egypt had done for the Arabs,''. He added that "Egypt's renaissance will be a renaissance for all Arabs". Shaikh Zayed also said that he recommended that his sons always support Egypt. Walking in the footsteps of the father, the sons have worked to strengthen ties between the UAE and Egypt. Everyone knows the important role that the UAE is playing in supporting Egypt's economy, and in developing its capacity as a major investment destination in the region. The UAE had carried out several developmental projects in Egypt that benefited more than 10 million people in poor areas located in 23 governorates. Those included establishing 50,000 housing units in 17 governorates, 100 schools in 18 governorates, training 80,000 job applicants, building 78 family health units, developing production lines of "insulin", supplying Cairo's Public Transport Authority with 600 buses, and establishing a 10-megawatt solar power plant in Siwa.
There are 10 more projects underway in enewable energy, food, health and environment, including eight solar plants in three governorates operating 6943 solar PV systems on the rooftops of houses; establishing wheat silos in 17 governorates, and developing sewage infrastructure in 94 villages.
Shaikh Mohammed said the UAE would continue to support Egypt till it overcomes its economic crisis. The UAE will finance investment projects in Egypt worth $2 billion, in addition to the same amount of money as a deposit in the Central Bank of Egypt. The tour of Egypt's President Abdul Fattah Al Sisi along with Shaikh Mohammed to a complex, named after the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, was a gesture of thanks and appreciation. The complex includes a district for business, residences, science and health, and will be launched this month.
Projects have also been named after Shaikh Zayed and President Shaikh Khalifa. Our bond with the UAE cannot be broken. It only grows stronger.
- The writer is the managing editor of Al Ahram Al Massai.