As part of its efforts to compensate for decreased shipping in the Red Sea and decreased revenues in the Suez Canal, Egypt is planning to sell Egyptian territory to an Emirati company for $35 billion, according to Kann 11 reporter Roi Kais.
Ever since the Houthis began their blockade of shipping in the Red Sea, increasing numbers and types of ships have avoided the Red Sea-Suez Canal route to Europe, and are instead taking the longer and costlier route around the African continent.
This is serious news for Egypt, as a substantial amount of its revenue and especially foreign currency comes from fees paid by ships passing through the Suez Canal.
In order to try and develop alternative sources of revenue and avoid economic riots, Egyptian leader a-Sisi is reportedly selling territory along Egypt's northwestern shore, specifically the coastal city of Ras Al Hekma, to an Emirati company for $35 billion. The hope is that this land will be developed into a money-making tourist hotspot.