Positive signs of response to Egypt's demands of $ 2.5 billion

There are positive signs that countries and financial institutions participating in the conference will give Egypt $ 2.5 billion to fill the gap in its balance of payment, an Egyptian official has said.

Egypt's hard currency from tourism revenues and Suez Canal tolls have been negatively affected by the September 11 incidents, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Fayza Abul Naga told reporters.

"The stance by the donor countries and institutions reflect their confidence in the Egyptian economy and the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) currently being implemented," she said.

It also mirrors their belief in the strategic importance of Egypt in the Middle East region, Africa and the entire world, she added.

"The Egyptian government has presented its review of the projects to representatives of 40 donor countries and financial institutions participating in the conference" she said.