Egypt views constructive opposition parties as healthy, Urgent measures for reactivating Economy

Urgent plans to provide services in 4700 villages were discussed by the Ministerial economic group at a meeting Monday under Egypt's Prime Minister Atef Ebeid.

The group also made a follow up of infrastructure projects carried out and financed by the private sector.

Ebeid told reporters that the meeting discussed sustainable development in villages and sources of finance with a view to providing job opportunities and upgrading services in villages and popular quarters.

Urgent plans will be carried out to provide services to the people such as building roads, maintenance of public utilities, lighting, setting up youth centers, health units and schools.

Ebeid said the meeting also made a follow up of infrastructure projects being carried out and financed by the private sector.

Agreement was reached to carry out additional projects at a cost of LE 20 billion. A timetable for offering projects and carrying them out will be made known before the end of December.

He said the government welcomes the existence of a strong and constructive opposition. The strong opposition means the existence of a strong government which is capable of fulfilling aspirations and ambitions of citizens. All parties are working under one umbrella with the aim of maintaining interests of Egypt and its people.

He added that the latest elections by Al-Wafd party and the election of Noaman Gommaa as a new leader of the party confirm the climate of freedom and democracy which has been created by President Mubarak.

He called on businessmen to back up the state efforts for manufacturing capital and investment equipment through the establishment of joint projects for this purpose.