Government gives top priority to social and Economic programs

Egyptian prime minister Atef Ebeid said there is no increase in prices of essential and strategic commodities such as sugar, food oil, bread, transport fares, electricity and butane gas when the state general budget gets into effect next July after it was endorsed by the people's assembly and the Shura Council.

Ebeid said President Mubarak has given directives to the Council of Ministers to pay wider attention to the limited income categories, and to improve citizens, standard of living.

He said the government intends to carry out a number of social and economic programs, mainly developing slums and increasing the number of families which are eligible for getting social and solidarity pension.

He said the government will continue to support farmers through rescheduling debts owed to agricultural credit bank, earmarking LE 250,000 for each village for spending on urgent improvements such as lightening, roads, schools and health units.

In statement to AL Ahram, Ebeid said that during the current year, investments worth 24% of the volume of gross domestic product would be carried out, indicating that the government would continue its efforts for attracting new Arab and foreign investments in the framework of the Egyptian, Arab and international drive for the sake of development and joint cooperation.