Dr.Kamal Al-Ganzoury Reviewed Several Issues

Prime Minister, Dr. Kamal Al-Ganzoury, held 12th meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and reviewed several issues including security and economic files. Dr.Al-Ganzoury and the ministers expressed their condolences over death of People Shenouda III, and expressed deep sorrow to Copts inside and outside Egypt. He described him as a national figure and symbol, praising his efforts to serve the Egyptian church and supporting the national unity.

Dr. Al-Ganzoury congratulated people on Mother’s Day, confirming their important role in serving and improving the society, describing them as half the society who upbringing the other half.

Security situation: The meeting discussed procedures carried to provide security for houses, roads, buildings, goods transportation, services areas, educational constructions, hospitals, worship places and tourists, along to achieving production and goods distribution security through mobile and fixed crackdowns and security campaigns where a lot of smuggled drugs and flee prisoners were seized. During the last week, 370 weapons were seized, 80 prisoners and 47 gangs were arrested, returning 261 stolen cars, and number of 88 cases of smuggled solar, 84 drugs cases, 2 million solar, and removal of 2550 violations on state lands.

Economic situation: The meeting reviewed situation of food goods and means to control the market, and the cabinet approved granting license to 7 consuming complex affiliating the holding co. for food industries to take directly from farmers through amending the bids and auctions law allowing these companies to buy directly from producers to reduce the trading cycle.

The Minister of Supply stated that the solar system face smuggling transaction at larger level, where 2 million liter solar were sized in one day, in addition to 650,000 tons of petroleum products during the first half of March. He called for the necessity of dealing with such issue as a national security of interest to people especially that solar plays great role in the food security system, and represent 70% of fuels for bakeries. He added that all ministries and authorities shall cooperate in this concern. The Minister stated that toughening punishment and reviewing legislations governing goods is a must, adding that the government is currently working to amend the draft law no.95 of 1945 of supply goods to intensify punishment.

The cabinet stated that gas cylinders distribution will be carried via coupons for supply IDs holders by the coming May nationwide for EGP 5, and those who don’t hold IDs will have it for EGP 25 with partial subsidy 50%. He confirmed the government keenness not to raise prices on petroleum products and main goods, and working to improve bread quality and increase the subsidized bread efficiency.

The Minister of Petroleum said that there is no crisis in provision of petroleum materials (solar-benzene), and the crisis is namely distribution and trading as well as smuggling, stating that benzene stations in Egypt amount to 3000 including 400 are affiliating the national company for armed forces and others affiliating the private sector. He noted that the ministry is holding meetings and seminars between the supply and petroleum ministries and governors to guarantee the provision of petroleum products in market and to control the distribution and trading system.

The minister of agriculture said that the cabinet approved purchase of 50 cars to transport vaccines nationwide, and allocation of EGP 10 million to purchase vaccines for aphthous fever, adding that all infections were seized recently especially by season change. He went on to say that the cabinet reviewed mega projects in East Al-Oynat of 220,000 acres distributed among investors, and total cultivated area reach 145,000 acres. He mentioned that the uncultivated lands of Touski were offered in bids to be distributed among people over the coming days, and situation of fish farms will be studied and laws organizing their establishment will be enforced. He also mentioned that cultivated lands in Sinai reach 440,000 cares including 220,000 acres west the canal and they are fully planted.

Decrees: • The cabinet approved granting license to 7 consuming complex affiliating the holding co. for food industries to take directly from farmers.
• Concerning the 40% share of Alexandria Tires Co, the cabinet approved the dispute to be settled through judicial rule and EGP 92.303 million were transferred to the Finance Ministry to support the budget deficit.
• The cabinet approved the demand by the National Council for Women allocating premises of the National Democratic Party in Abu Bakr Al-Sedik St. in Helioplis as a temporarily location for the General Secretariat of the Council.
• The cabinet approved purchase of 50 cars to transport vaccines nationwide, and allocation of EGP 10 million to purchase vaccines for aphthous and bird flu.
• The cabinet approved the prime minister's draft law approving performance incentive for the educational posts in Al-Azhar.
• The cabinet approved the grant by the Japanese government amounting to USD 6 million to enhance the Egyptian government in achieving economic and social development.