Mubarak reviews measures for the establishment of free trade zone with US

At a ministerial meeting today, President Mubarak reviewed executive measures for launching a dialogue with the US Administration on the establishment of a free trade zone and expanding Egyptian exports to US markets through giving preferential privileges to the Egyptian products.

This has to match with the treatment given to some neighboring countries, after cutting down the volume of US aid to Egypt gradually to reach only 5% or 400 million dollar annually.

The President will also discuss ways of enhancing the role of private sector in attracting US investments given the fact that its current volume is put at $ 2.5 billion.

In this context, President Mubarak will review a number of reports on forthcoming visit to the United States on April 2.

The economic file of the visit includes a partnership agreement between the two countries, the role of private sector in reactivating them and development of trade between Egypt and the United States

in the upcoming stage in proportion to the distinctive relations between Egypt and the United States. The economic file also includes a review of the agenda of the knock door mission which starts a visit to the United States on March 25 .

The President will discuss the agenda of the Arab summit which will be held in Amman late this month.

Meantime, President Mubarak is expected to get a report from Prime Minister Dr. Atef Ebeid on the results of his meetings with governors with the aim of getting acquainted with needs and requirements of governorates, depending on President Mubarak directives for securing fairness in the distribution of investments among governorates and giving top priority to labor intensive and small size projects.