<Li> 25 April 1859--construction officially starts . </Li> <Li> 17 November 1869--The canal is opened, owned and operated by Suez Canal Company . </Li> <Li> 18 December 1873--The International Commission of Constantinople establishes the Suez Canal Net Ton and the Suez Canal Special Tonnage Certificate (as known today) </Li> <Li> 25 November 1875--Britain becomes a minority share holder in the company, acquiring 44%, with the remainder being controlled by French business syndicates . </Li>

Why is suez canal important for european and asian countries