Extravagant celebrations have begun to inaugurate a major extension of the Suez Canal in Egypt.<br /><br /> The main waterway has been deepened and a 35km parallel channel opened to increase capacity to 97 boats per day.<br /><br /> Costing more than seven billion euros, the project was completed in just one year instead of three on the orders of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.<br /><br /> The former army chief sailed to Ismailia to join the leaders of France, Russia and Gulf Arab states for the ceremony.<br /><br /> We are in Egypt today for the inauguration of the new Suez Canal #Greece pic.twitter.com/0prxrOD0d9— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) August 6, 2015<br /><br /> #Dayinmylife World leaders and Delegations arriving at #suezcanal pic.twitter.com/ShKsauf9cG— British Amb in Egypt (@FCOJohnCasson) August 6, 2015<br /><br /> The expansion aims to boost the economy which has been reeling from years of turmoil since the Arab Spring. <br /><br /> Thursday was declared a public holiday. State television broadcast shots of the new canal to the theme tune
