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Al-Ahram Weekly 14 - 20 October 1999 Issue No. 451 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 14 - 20 October 1999 Issue No. 451
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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President Mubarak with Atef Ebeid's newly formed cabinet following the swearing-in ceremony
Emphasising efficiency and transparency
By Nevine Khalil
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Books Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters On Monday morning, Atef Ebeid led his newly-formed cabinet to a swearing-in ceremony before President Hosni Mubarak. After the ministers took the oath of office, Mubarak presided over the first meeting of the new government, the 11th since he took office in 1981.
The president urged the ministers to discharge their responsibilities efficiently as Egypt stands on the threshold of the third millennium. He outlined guidelines, including teamwork, conscientious field follow-ups, and separating personal from professional interests. He added that "all policies should be in the service of the rights and interest of the people".
Mubarak stressed that nepotism should be banished and that government officials should not take advantage of their authority. To drive his point home, he told the ministers not to consider favours for anyone, "even if they say that they are a friend or a relative of the president. Do not listen to any of this. Instead, turn them down immediately," he said.
The president added that transparency should be the rule, especially in financial dealings, and asked ministers not to take part in festivities and celebrations so that the money may be spent instead in the people's service. In line with Mubarak's directives, Ebeid yesterday urged well-wishers to donate money to a plan for the Social Welfare of Students, instead of spending it on congratulatory advertising.
The president also emphasised that ministers should express their views freely on all issues, and that cabinet discussions should be rich and constructive so that decisions may be taken unanimously. He added that the responsibilities of all ministerial portfolios should be well-defined in order to avoid overlapping, especially for the new ministries of youth affairs and communications and the information industry.
Mubarak said he will preside over cabinet meetings once every two months in order to follow up on the progress being made on various issues.
Mubarak's other directives included the speedy execution of mega projects east of Port Said, northwest of the Gulf of Suez, south of Aswan, in Sinai and Toshka. "The projects will guarantee a better future for the coming generations by altering Egypt's demographic map and increasing production." Mubarak requested that the projects be discussed in detail in cabinet meetings so that all ministers may share in the responsibility.
The president paid special attention to his plan for a national technological upsurge so that Egypt may secure a share of the world's technology market. The plan also aims at ensuring that all sectors of society are capable of using advanced technology and that decision-making is based on accurate information. He said he will head a permanent committee for the development of the technology industry to personally supervise progress on that front. Mubarak added that legislation should be enacted to guarantee patent protection in order to encourage producers and programmers.
The president noted that a separate ministry had been established in the new cabinet to better prepare the younger generations to shoulder responsibility in the future. "By developing the capabilities of young people, they should have better lives, with new visions, horizons and knowledge."
Mubarak said the legality of the establishment derives from realising social justice for the under-privileged segments of society. "Consequently, any decision taken at any level should aim at serving the under-privileged and providing them with a better standard of living." He added that the resources of the government and the affluent should be channelled to serve the under-privileged. He said that all ministries should be well prepared for the National Social Conference to be held later this year.
Mubarak asserted that policies governing the nation's population growth rates should remain unchanged because they have a direct impact on development and the standard of living. He also said that Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) should be given the opportunity to play a greater role in society in order to better serve the people.
Mubarak affirmed that economic reform policies will continue in the same direction until the national reform programme attains its goals, but insisted that this should not be at the expense of the under-privileged classes. He also said working groups in charge of free trade agreements should be well prepared for domestic and world conferences on the issue. "The Egyptian perspective at these conferences should be based on achieving equality and protecting national industries and rates of development," the president said.
Mubarak also emphasised the importance of offering greater investment opportunities and attracting foreign investors by way of facilities and the cutting of red tape. As for finding ways to redress the country's trade deficit and increase Egypt's exports, Mubarak charged the government with drawing up short- and medium-term policies. He said this should be done by increasing high quality exports and the private sector boosting its capabilities and expanding its projects and economic activities.
