Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 30 Nov. - 6 Dec. 2000 Issue No.510

Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Special Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters

Government business

DURING Ramadan, the Nasser Social Bank will disburse LE175 million in grants to individuals through 5,000 of its affiliated zakat (alms) committees. The sums will be given to those in need such as orphans, the sick and people with low incomes.

Additionally, one million families are expected to benefit from the distribution of foodstuffs worth LE35 million. Financial assistance to the tune of LE50 million will be disbursed as grants of LE50 per family.

Blankets and garments worth LE75 million will be distributed before Bairam at the end of Ramadan. The bank is also sponsoring 3,000 mawa'id al-rahman (tables of mercy) offering iftar (the daily meal for breaking the fast), said head of the bank's Social Solidarity Division, Abdallah Abdel-Aziz. FINANCE Minister Medhat Hassanein has issued directives for the preparation of budgets by state authorities. The plan for the 2001-2002 state budget will be based on the budgets submitted by these authorities. The deadline for submission of these budgets is during this December.

A major objective of the next budget will be the reduction of the deficit through promoting local production. Other primary aims are an increased growth rate, the provision of basic commodities and services to the public, tax reform and reining in public debt.

THE TRADE sector has witnessed an upsurge in production and distribution, which is reflected in the abundance of commodities and services available locally, said Prime Minister Atef Ebeid.

Ebeid said that the government has succeeded in overcoming many of the bureaucratic obstacles impeding investment, the level of which has increased.

The prime minister made these comments while inaugurating the Centre for Trade Information which will serve over three million people engaged in commerce. The aim of the centre is to support the domestic market and enhance exports.

© Copyright Al-Ahram Weekly. All rights reserved

weeklyweb@ahram.org.eg