Caring for martyrs' families and the injured is the government's main priority, said Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri. Ganzouri noted employment opportunities and compensation provided for hundreds of martyrs' relatives as examples of the government's actions in this regard. In a speech to the People's Assembly, Egypt's lower house of Parliament, Ganzouri stressed the need to restore security. He said that the police force's renewed spirit and determination, combined with the Egyptian people's cooperation, have helped increase tourism to Egypt. With regard to the economic situation, Ganzouri said the government alleviated the country's financial problems by reducing Egypt's unprecedented LE134 billion budget deficit and subsidies for petroleum products, and raising natural gas prices for industries that use large amounts. He added that such actions will lead to higher profits and dismissed concerns about inflated commodity prices. Ganzouri went on to say that LE2.5 billion was provided to construction companies in the past two months, thereby increasing employment opportunities. He added that Egypt also set aside LE700 million to complete construction of 70,000 housing units for low-income families. Ganzouri said the government set a maximum wage for those working in the public sector, so that their total income cannot exceed 35 times the minimum wage. He also said that LE70 million had been allotted to fund incentives for textile workers. He noted that social security pensions increased to LE200 and said the controversial new insurance and pension law would not be enforced until 1 July 2013, in order to give the People's Assembly time to review it. Ganzouri said that farmers would be exempted from LE175 million in debts to the Agricultural Credit Bank and that the bank's clients would be exempt from an estimated LE132 million in interest owed on late payments. Also, he said debts could be paid in installments over a five year period. Ganzouri also said that Egypt is seeking to end the gas crisis and that the police have intervened to curb black market sales. Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
