Sawiris Stirs Controversy After Criticizing Switzerland's COVID Measures

Egyptian billionaire Samih Sawiris, chairman of the Orascom Development Board, criticized the measures adopted by Switzerland in combating the novel coronavirus, saying, 'billions of francs will be lost for a few hundred deaths'.

These statements turned the Swiss media against Sawiris, demanding that he be held accountable for these statements. Sawiris told SonntagsZeitung newspaper that the Swiss Federal Council measure against the pandemic are exaggerated.

Sawiris is investing a large portion of his multi-billion dollar fortune in tourism infrastructure in Montenegro, Switzerland, through his Orascom company.

He pointed out that the efforts made in Switzerland to save people under the age of sixty from the deadly consequences of COVID-19 are not commensurate with the damage done to the economy, pointing out that so far, there have been less than 200 deaths in this age group in the country.

 You're more likely to win the lottery than die of COVID: Sawiris

"So far, there have been less than 200 deaths in Switzerland in this age group. You're more likely to win the lottery than die of Covid-19," he pointed out.

“They have portrayed the virus as the greatest threat of the twenty-first century, and politicians are putting the consequences of the crisis on the shoulders of ordinary people,' the billionaire added.

The media focused on criticizing Sawiris, who risked his statements to stir controversy over the issue of the coronavirus.

On the other hand, Sawiris praised the government of Canton Uri, where the luxury ski resort the "Chedi Andermatt" is located. Uri had ordered a complete lockdown of people over the age of 65 at the beginning of the crisis, however, the federal government canceled this procedure.

Sawiris concluded that it is unfortunate that Canton Uri is not a model for all of Switzerland as it would have allowed more companies to stay open while protecting high-risk groups.

Its is noteworthy that Sawiris acquired two-thirds of the European tourism company “FTI” last month.

The founder of Orascom raised his stake in FTI, the third largest tourism company in Europe to 75% after having acquired only 33%.

This move provided huge capital for the German company to help it overcome the liquidity crisis due to travel closures amid the spread of coronavirus.