Cabinet reviews national development plans

An Egyptian Cabinet meeting yesterday discussed the results of a series of committee meetings that studied the government's five-year and long-term development plans.

Prime Minister Atef Ebeid chaired the meeting to review suggestions proposed by the committees and to prioritize the two plans.

He stressed that the plans should provide for the needs of citizens and governors should participate in setting up the priorities for each governorate.

The national five-year development plan, due to begin in 2002, allocates L.E 250,000 for each village to upgrade public services. The initial year of the plan will focus on expanding basic infrastructure and completing investment projects so as to generate investment income.

The long-term development plan plots the course for developing new communities, export production, agricultural activities and mega-projects until 2020. The plan assigns to new communities an important role in the export process and provides the facilities necessary to achieve success.