Ashraf AboArafe
Rabie: “The Suez Canal is undergoing a profound transformation to boost its economic activities.”
Ismailia | July 7, 2025
Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), Vice Admiral Osama Rabie, received today H.E. Mr. Thanawat Sirikul, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Cairo, accompanied by a high-level delegation, at the SCA’s Guidance Building in Ismailia. The visit marks Ambassador Sirikul’s first official engagement with the Authority since assuming his post in Cairo.
At the outset of the meeting, Vice Admiral Rabie expressed his aspiration to strengthen economic cooperation between the two sides and leverage their growing closeness to exchange expertise and transfer technology in areas of mutual interest.
He emphasized that the Suez Canal Authority is undergoing a comprehensive transformation as part of its ambitious vision to diversify its revenue streams by introducing new maritime services and logistics activities that enhance the Canal’s role in global trade.
Rabie highlighted the significant progress made in expanding the Authority’s portfolio to include marine fuel supply, emergency medical services, crew changes, and marine waste collection. He also noted the growing capabilities in shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance through the Authority’s affiliated companies and shipyards.
For his part, Ambassador Sirikul expressed Thailand’s keen interest in deepening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in port services, canal operations, and training.
He also explored prospects for developing marine tourism, capitalizing on the Suez Canal region’s strategic location and rich array of tourist attractions. He underscored the ongoing efforts to boost tourism flows between Thailand and Egypt in the near future.
The Thai ambassador praised Egypt’s role in addressing current regional challenges, expressing hope that ongoing efforts will help restore stability in the region—a key factor in supporting the resilience and sustainability of global supply chains currently facing disruptions and rising transport costs.
The two sides agreed to form a joint working group to translate their discussions into actionable cooperation on the ground.
George Safwat
Official Spokesperson, Suez Canal Authority
