Security procedures were beefed up at the waterway in eastern district of Port Said ahead of the inauguration of the new Suez Canal project next Thursday.

Port Said Governor Magdy Nassr el Din met on Monday with Head of Port Said Security Directorate Mahmoud el Deeb to discuss security preparations ahead of the celebrations.

Meanwhile, Head of Qena Security Directorate Salah el Din Hassan said an inclusive security plan was set to secure citizens will celebrating the inauguration of the new grand project.

Egypt will inaugurate the New Suez Canal on Thursday, which will massively increase the capacity of the existing canal and offer an important opportunity to boost the country’s struggling economy.

The 72-kilometer new project involves a 37-kilometer new waterway and deepening and expansion of the existing 145-year-old Suez Canal along a 35-kilometer stretch.