Mubarak attends Mediamen Day celebrations, opens new projects

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Wednesday evening attended Egyptian media celebration of the 18th Media Day, which was held by the Ministry of Information at Media Production City at the Sixth of October City.

Prime Minister Atef Ebeid, Minister of Information Safwat Al-Sherif and senior media officials greeted the President on arrival.

Upon his arrival, President Mubarak opened the power transformers station of the Free Media Area the Sixth of October City.

President Mubarak listened to a report from an official on the power transformers station. The President then saw another achievement, which was added to the extended network of Egyptian media, namely the digital transmission center.

The Minister of Information gave an explanation on the new television channels, 10 private and specialized channels such as sports, literature and tourism, the "Tamima" marketing channel, the Dream channel for youth and "Al-Mehwar" (Axis) Channel. "These channels will all be received via the Egyptian satellite," Sherif added.

Minister of Information Safwat Al-Sherif said that the site of the State Information Service (SIS) - which was previously opened by President Mubarak - has so far received 110 million visitors.

The site will be carried as of Wednesday on the Egyptian Nilesat, which covers all of Europe and Asia.

The Minister said that transmission is being carried out on two satellites.

As regards Africa, transmission is made via the Intersat, which covers the entire African continent, and also the Nilesat, which covers up, to Central Africa. The Nilesat also covers all of Asia, Russia and the Independent Soviet Republics.

The President opened the Mubarak International Studios Complex - which cost L.E. 80 million and includes 18 studios. The complex has been built on an area of 5600 square meters and 95 per cent of the installations have been completed.

The President proceeded to the interior of the new studios area, which is equipped with latest technology - new studios, huge investments and excellent services for investors and the private sector in Egypt and in other parts of the world.

President Mubarak then visited the outdoor filming area. where a number of dramatic works are being produced for the production sector and the Media Production City.

Mubarak greeted them on the quantity and quality of their production, which will enrich programmes for Egyptian and Arab viewers on Egyptian space channels.

President Mubarak headed to the 450-room Media production City hotel where senior media people received him.

Sherif gave a detailed account of a hotel press center that seats up to 1,500 persons and is equipped with the Internet and computers.