Deputy Chairman of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) Abdel Qader Darwish said Cypriot companies are willing to obtain licenses to introduce naval services and ship refueling at Ain Al Sokhna harbor.

A statement released by SCZone on Sunday said Darwish took part in the Eighth Exhibition for Naval and Petroleum Services held in Limassol, Cyprus, with the participation of 70 companies offering naval and petroleum services worldwide.

The statement said Darwish met with Cypriot Transport Minister Marios Demetriades on the fringe of the exhibition. The two sides discussed the willingness of Cypriot companies to invest in the Suez Canal economic zone.

Darwish asserted to the Cypriot minister that such companies have vast chances for offering naval services, noting that April 20 is the deadline for floating offers to join the bids for investment in Ain Al Sokhna harbor, an affiliate to SCZone.

He also explained that the volume of business at the harbor and the development of its business system have contributed to attracting more investments from various world companies. 

SCZone has announced in mid February that naval services at Ain Al Sokhna harbor will be operational in mid 2017 and invited companies to offer their bids to introduce naval and ship services.