Egypt’s Ambassador in Togo Karim Sharif handed Togo’s President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé an invitation from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to attend the inauguration of the New Suez Canal, slated for August 6.

The Togolese president extended thanks to president Sisi for the invitation.

Sharif held talks with the Togolese Prime Minister and Health minister to discuss promoting bilateral ties and cooperation in various fields, mainly in medical fields.

Egypt will inaugurate the New Suez Canal on August 6, which will massively increase the capacity of the existing canal and offer an important chance to Egypt’s economy.

Called the Suez Canal Corridor, 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.

The project, estimated to have cost about $8.5bn, aims at expanding the Suez Canal region's role as a global, industrial, and logistics center that is environmentally balanced with an integrated economy.

It is also projected to become a global hub due to its logistics and industrial services.

The new route will reduce navigation time from the current 22 to 11 hours. Both canals will be connected by four smaller waterways and together will continue to provide the fastest route for shipping between Europe and Asia.