Eight million cubic meters have been dug in the New Suez Canal project so far, the Armed Forces said in a statement.

"The digging pace will be increased as of the next week after the rest of the digging equipment get into action," the statement added.

Forty-two companies and two battalions are taking part in the project, it indicated.

The statement added that the expansion and deepening works started at the Suez Canal, which would be widened as part of the project.

The new project aims to build a Suez Canal parallel to the current canal of a total length of 72 kilometers.

MENA