Egypt - August 31, 2024

Storyline:
Sohila Said, an Egyptian architect and engineer, is soaring to new heights after playing a key role in the construction of the New Alamein City, a cooperation project between Egypt and China.

The project, being constructed by the Egyptian branch of the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC Egypt) under the Belt and Road Initiative, is crucial in the country's strategy to promote urban development.

Egypt, a leading economy on the African continent, faces a population boom amid challenging economic and urban conditions, as just 4 percent of land along the Nile River is home to 99 percent of the more than 100 million Egyptians.

In 2015, the Egyptian government launched a transformative agenda to tackle its developmental challenges.

In response, to the north of Cairo, the New Alamein City is rising majestically from the desert, expected to become an economic and industrial hub.

Together with her Chinese colleagues, Sohila is now responsible for ensuring that the construction boom is developing according to plan.

Sohila said there are still conservative beliefs in Egypt that insist women should stay at home, which at times proves to be a challenge in a male-dominated work environment.

However, her expertise is highly recognized and appreciated by other engineers.

Shotlist:
Egypt - Aug 31, 2024:
1. Pyramids, tourists;
2. Aerial shots of construction sites of New Alamein City, buildings, machinery;
3. Egyptian female engineer Sohila Said, CGTN reporter looking at construction site;
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sohila Said, engineer, Egyptian branch, China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC Egypt) (starting with shot 3) (with reporter asking question):
(Reporter: "Do you think when the Alamein city is finally completed, will it become better than Alexandria?")
"[When the project is completed,] it will be better than everything. Wow. I was working here one time. I can tell my children, your mom was working here."
5. Buildings under construction;
6. Various of Sohila Said, colleagues working, discussing;
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sohila Said, engineer, CSCEC Egypt:
"Working at this mega project and also with an international company like CSCEC is giving me good [preparation] for my future. I want to go outside, to be a good engineer outside. This makes me here the first step to go there."
8. Various of engineers working;
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sohila Said, engineer, CSCEC Egypt (with reporter asking question):
"The laborers, how they feel about women at the site? Like, I can't treat her like an engineer. I can't treat her like a woman. Go away."
(Reporter: "Does it actually affect your work? Do you have to talk to them?")
"Of course. I can deal with them. And also our Chinese company is a good protector for us."
10. Various of engineers working;
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sohila Said's colleague (name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 12):
"Ms. Sohila is a very helpful woman with us and also has experience to benefit us from many sides. It's up to her. It's up to her willingness for the work. I saw Engineer Sohila has passion to work here.";
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
12. Various of Sohila Said at construction site;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
13. Ocean, rocks;
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Sohila Said, engineer, CSCEC Egypt (starting with shot 13/partially overlaid with shot 15):
"I think girls can do anything. If she wants to do anything, she can do anything. Maybe sometimes you can see here in Egypt, you see mechanical engineers. Girls can go under the car to fix it and do anything. So, women can do anything."
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
15. CGTN reporter;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
16. Various of construction site, building.

[Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]