Egypt's parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal revealed on Sunday that parliament will adjourn for summer recess on Thursday instead of Tuesday. "I decided to extend the days of plenary sessions until next Thursday in order to be able to finish discussing and voting on all the laws that were referred by the government and in order to adjourn for summer recess on time or at the end of this week," said Abdel-Aal. According to Abdel-Aal, the constitutional term of parliament's current legislative season ended on 30 June. "But because of a number of important laws submitted, we will finish next Thursday (11 July)," said Abdel-Aal. Parliament began discussing on Sunday amendments to laws on investment, old rents of non-residential units, intellectual property rights, metal wealth and the regulation of the production of drugs, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. The discussion will also encompass amendments to laws regulating the bar association, the residence of foreigners in Egypt, and the Egyptian nationality. Abdel-Aal announced on Sunday morning that a new batch of amendments to additional laws were also referred to parliament in past days. "I decided that these government-drafted legislative amendments be sent to a number of the House's committees to discuss them and prepare reports on them," said Abdel-Aal. Abdel-Aal indicated that the new legislative amendments submitted include laws regulating the Customs Authority and youth organisations. "They also include the traffic law, the social insurance and pensions law, the protection and development of lakes and fish wealth law, and the support fund for the physically challenged persons," Abdel-Aal said, adding that "the list also includes the Law on the Exercise of Civil Work (or the NGOs law)." Source: Ahram Online
