Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi led a meeting Monday to discuss the preparation of the country's economic roadmap, as well as a "strategic vision to help create a better future for Egypt." According the state-run agency MENA, attendees said the roadmap would include time frames for immediate and long term projects, which are to help benefit future governments as well. The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Tourism, Electricity and Energy, Communications and Information Technology, Transportation, Investment, Industry and Foreign Trade, Civil Aviation, Finance, Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Housing, Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, and Planning and Internal Cooperation.
El-Beblawi said the roadmap seeks to address the current situation as well as to create an economic and social vision and strategy for the upcoming period. This includes creating long, short and medium term plans for development, addressing the country's pressing financial needs to help secure energy and essential supply goods, identifying and promoting opportunities for investors in the coming months, and dealing with unemployment.
Those in attendance emphasised the need to ensure social justice, protect low-income citizens, avoid imposing new taxes, and work to further stimulate the economy.
El-Beblawi mentioned the need to limit and repay dues owed to government contractors, work to quickly complete state infrastructure projects (such as housing, sanitation, transportation, and electricity), rein in the country's budget deficit and work to achieve a balance of payments.
El-Beblawi tasked the Ministers of Planning, Finance and Investment with reviewing the roadmap, which is expected to be completed by the end of August.
