Ministerial Economic group reviews performance of national economy
Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid said yesterday following a meeting of the ministerial economic group that discussions covered a number of important issues related to the performance of national economy in the coming stage.
He said that foremost among these issues are the main features of the economic and social development plan for fiscal year 2002/2003 and working papers which Egypt will present to the conference of friendly and donor countries due to be held in Sharm AL Sheikh in the first week of February.
The ministerial group considered the grants, aid and easy-term loans and funds made available by friendly countries and priority of use in order to turn these grants into projects to serve the majority of citizens.
Ebeid referred to President Mubarak's statement that everyone who owns something is immune and what he possesses cannot be taken from him and the climate of investment in Egypt is an important element in attracting national, Arab and world capital.
The ministerial economic group also considered strengthening Egyptian economy in the coming stage in order to make optimum use of available potentials in the industrial and agricultural field in order to increase capacity, provide more job opportunities and push forward the wheel of economy in general.
Ebeid said that there is no justification for rumors that aim at raising the exchange rate of the dollar in a factious manner.
Dollars are available to pay for imports of basic requirements, the Prime Minister told reporters following a meeting of the ministerial economic group Saturday.
He called on the press and media to publish the facts about the position of the foreign currencies.
Ebeid said in reply to question that there was no justification for the attempt of some merchants to raise the prices of food commodities:
"This represents a burden on people of limited income and the government will deal with the matter in a decisive manner," he said.
Ebeid denied reports that the government was intending to increase petrol prices.
In statements to MENA, Ebeid said the government has no intention to up either petrol prices or the prices of any by product.