Mubarak - Gore joint statement
Egypt-USA, Economics, 3/30/2000

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and US Vice President Al Gore issued a statement on Tuesday after they met to discuss the U.S.-Egypt Partnership for Economic Growth, established by the two officials in 1994 "to enhance efforts to achieve market-oriented economic growth in Egypt."

"As the US-Egypt relationship continues to mature, our economic ties will continue to assume a higher profile," the statement said, adding that Gore congratulated Egypt on its economic performance and noted a near-doubling of US investment in Egypt in the past five years.

It said Gore urged continued economic reforms and said the US is "cooperating with Egypt on implementation of Egypt's privatization plans in the telecommunications and banking sectors and with tax and customs reforms."

"President Mubarak and Vice President Gore welcomed the Partnership's
efforts in recent months to respond to President Mubarak's desire that
Egypt's development strategy focus on technology and human resources," the statement said, noting a link in USAID funds to Egyptian goals.

They also welcomed efforts by the Partnership's Subcommittee on Technology "to foster the growth of information technology business in Egypt." Gore briefed Mubarak on US ideas about the use of information technology in integrating developing economies with the globalization process. They said, "Information technology growth is primarily driven by the private sector, but that governments also have a role to play in creating a pro-competitive policy and regulatory environment that encourages private sector investment, technological innovation, education and training." The US is to work with the Egyptian Ministry of Information Technology, the statement said.

The discussions between Mubarak and Gore also addressed intellectual property rights, including their role in the growth of the information technology field, as well as the need to better communicate Egypt's economic potential to US business.

They also noted "consultations between the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the Government of Egypt on the financing available to support future American investment."

They "noted initiation of the Egyptian Environmental Policy Program to support the efforts of the Environment, Tourism, and Petroleum Ministries to address environmental challenges" and US - Egyptian cooperation on environmental issues.

Gore "congratulated President Mubarak for his leadership in the areas of education and human resource development and his commitment to education for all children in Egypt" and noted US support in this regard. They also remarked the development of personnel in the the Egyptian workforce and joint efforts to ensure the quality of teachers.

Previous Stories:
  US partnership progam grows   (3/27/2000)
  Mubarak reviews economic reform program with American officials   (3/27/2000)
  Egyptian exports to US, promoted   (3/27/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search