American appreciation for Mubarak's reform efforts

"The US has voiced full appreciation for President Hosni Mubarak's efforts to realize reform and revival in Egypt," Prime Minister Atef Ebeid said on Tuesday following President Mubarak`s meeting with a visiting USAID delegation.

"USAID Director Bradey Anderson told President Mubarak that the current reforms and attendant revival in Egypt were unprecedented and they could be a model for other countries," Ebeid said.

Anderson was quoted as having singled out the US as the first and by far the most apt member of the international community to support President Mubarak`s efforts.

Speaking of what Egypt does with foreign aid, Ebeid said it is primarily channeled into developing production bases, human development and grooming youth for a better future along with providing loans for small-sized projects with a view to creating fresh job opportunities for them.

Ebeid highlighted the importance of training youth in managing loans offered to them, as the success of any project does not simply rely on cash availability.

On President Mubarak's meeting with a US Congress delegation, Ebeid said the delegates relayed a message from their colleagues expressing deep regard for President Mubarak`s leadership, farsightedness and ability to effect needed changes at the national and Arab levels to the benefit of development.

The American congressmen promised, once they are back home, to promote President Mubarak's visualization of the present and future of development not just in Egypt but also in the Arab region, especially after peace efforts have been crowned with success.

According to Ebeid, the visiting US congressmen voiced happiness at coming to Egypt on EgyptAir planes which they said they were using in moving up and down Egypt.