Egypt, UAE discuss $4.9bn aid package

Egypt's Interim Prime Minister, Hazem el-Beblawi, on Monday received Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, U.A.E. Minister of State, in presence of Ziad Bahaa El-Din, Minister of International Cooperation, to discuss the projects included in the U.A.E.'s US$4.9 billion aid package to Egypt, announced last October. Egypt's Cabinet Spokesman, Ambassador Hani Salah, in a press release, said Minister Al Jaber's current visit is aimed at following up progress on the implementation of projects included in the US$4.9 billion framework agreement, signed by the two countries during el-Belblawi's visit to U.A.E. in October 2013 in order to provide support for Egypt's development plans and for the efforts to improve living conditions of Egyptians. Minister Al Jaber, in his remarks at the meeting with the Egyptian prime minister, noted that Upper Egypt (the region known in Arabic as Sa'eed Misr) receives special attention from the U.A.E. aid to the country. Al Jaber will visit a number of towns and villages in the region in order to assess the needs for the process of development, according to the Egyptian spokesman. The U.A.E.'s US$4.9 billion aid package to Egypt will be dedicated for building 25 wheat silos, each with a capacity of 60,000 tonnes, and the construction of 79 family healthcare centres, 50,000 housing units as well as two vaccine production lines to raise Egypt's self-efficiency in this vital sector to 80% On his part, el-Beblawi asked Minister Al Jaber to convey his greetings to Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. He expressed appreciation of the recent visit of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, U.A.E. Foreign Minister, to Egypt during which he met with senior officials. The Egyptian prime minister said the support extended by U.A.E. to Egypt is important, not only because it is the biggest support provided by Arab countries, but also because it came early and just in time when Egypt was in need. El-Beblawi noted that U.A.E. is managing its aid to Egypt in a 'unique way' as U.A.E. Government authorised Minister Al Jaber to manage the process and established a permanent office in Cairo for this purpose. At the meeting, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber conveyed to el-Beblawi greetings from Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Minister Al Jaber congratulated the Egyptian people on the advent of the new year and expressed his wishes for further stability and development in Egypt. He also expressed pleasure at the current development in Egypt and the progress made on the implementation of the roadmap, in particular as preparations are underway for the forthcoming referendum on the country's new constitution, according to the Egyptian Cabinet's press release. Dr. Al Jaber conveyed to el-Beblawi greetings from Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.