The supply minister in Egypt has pressed for turning national ports into "economic gates".

Industrial investments and trade should be promoted, Khaled Hanafy said, stressing that Egypt's location is an asset.

He was speaking in the inauguration of the sea transport and logistics conference Tuesday.

The conference is held at the Cairo International Conference Center (CICC) under the auspices of Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab.

The conference is timely, Hanafy said, adding that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi was in Singapore, a logistics hub itself, Monday. Singapore has been able to achieve an economic leap using its logistic location, the minister noted.

He said the Suez Canal project is an "international achievement". The decision to turn the Suez Canal Corridor into an economic region of a special nature will help eliminate bureaucracy and create an investment-friendly climate, the minister believes.

Deputy transport minister Adel Yassin said the Suez Canal project is a new start toward progress.

Egypt is considered one of the most important global hubs, Yassin said. He made it clear that sea and river transport projects are top priority of his Ministry because they help secure many jobs for youth.