CAIRO — In an attempt to empower university graduates in the northern Sinai governorate, Gov. Abdul Fadel Shosha announced July 3 that the deadline for graduates' applications for the draw of agricultural land in Bir al-Abd has been extended until Aug. 7.
The draw, which was announced March 21, is part of a project to develop the Sinai Peninsula, particularly the town of Bir al-Abd, west of el-Arish. The winners will each receive a usufruct to 5 acres of land — of the 2,500 acres made available — with the option of paying the purchase price in installments over 20 years.