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Al-Ahram Weekly 25 - 31 May 2000 Issue No. 483 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 25 - 31 May 2000 Issue No. 483
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Cabinet review
By Nevine KhalilDURING a full cabinet meeting yesterday morning, President Hosni Mubarak reviewed the performance of Prime Minister Atef Ebeid's government in the months since it was sworn in last October.
The president listened to reports from 17 ministers, including communication, transportation, health, housing, industry and foreign affairs.
Mubarak's directives included the necessity of reviewing all government spending to ensure investment in services essential to comprehensive economic and social development. Stressing the need for a continued reduction of the deficit at a rate that does not negatively affect development, the president called for mechanisms to be put in place to avoid overspending, especially in the investment sector.
Mubarak said that efforts should continue to develop resources for the budget to increase investments in services such as health, education, water and sewage. The government should also hasten in developing oil and natural gas fields, as well as petroleum industries, he added.
Mubarak called for setting ambitious export targets -- albeit through realistic policy -- mainly by improving the quality of products, opening new markets and offering competitive incentives.
Mubarak said that overdue debts should be paid by selling companies in the communications, oil and public sector. He also added that the tax system should be revised in order to facilitate the collection of taxes. Finally, the president emphasised the necessity of complete transparency in all economic issues and that there should be no cover-ups of misconduct and corruption -- regardless of the perpetrator's post. He also stated that ministers should initiate policies and take time to explain and clarify their policies to the public.
The meeting lasted for five hours.
