The Egyptian Government has a comprehensive development vision including the achievement of eight strategic goals, said Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif.

In his address at the ceremony marking the launch of the 2010 Human Development Report, the Premier said that " the Government is seeking to attain these goals despite challenges before it".

"The Government, in its pursuit to achieve these goals, is working within a framework of partnership with the private sector and NGOs along with international organizations", Nazif explained.

He added that "these goals include maintaining high rates of economic growth and employment, attaining high levels of human resource development  upgrading infrastructure, developing living conditions and guaranteeing higher levels of social justice".

These goals also include fighting poverty and increasing competitiveness of Egyptian products in local and international markets, along with enhancing political participation.

Nazif said that "the Government is giving a lot of attention to engaging youths in policies and programmes that aim to achieve welfare, including partnerships with Civil Society Organizations and the Business Sector.

He added that "the Government is also encouraging youths to adopt a free way of thinking, as well as upgrading the Educational Sector to help open up new job opportunities".

Asserting that the Government is seriously seeking to alleviate the burdens facing youths, Dr. Nazif highlighted the importance of spreading a culture of Private Business and Self-Employment.

Nazif said that "Human Resource Development is one of the main pillars of a modern state and sustainable development" and added "this will require highly-qualified Human Resources that are able to manage and upgrade Production Facilities and Institutions.

The Prime Minister said that "the Government has adopted several policies to develop the intellectual and cultural capabilities of youths and deepen their feeling of loyalty through economic empowerment.

He also said "the Government's strategy is based upon paying a lot of attention to  the health of children and providing them with necessary Health Insurance Services. It also seeks to eliminate female genital mutilation and child labour and protect street children.  It plans to encourage the Civil Society Institutions to engage in Child Development Programmes".

"The Government aims to enhance the concept of using technology in all sectors as one of the main tools to promote 'competitive capabilities' and build a modern society based on knowledge," Nazif said, noting that "his Government has a plan to turn Egypt into a Producer of Modern Technology and a main IT hub".

"The Government managed to create 4 new million job opportunities for youths as unemployment rates dropped from 11 percent to nine percent, despite the repercussions of the financial crisis", according to Nazif.

Meanwhile, he said that "a National Committee is in charge of developing Sinai plans , to prepare an integrated vision of  future development in Sinai".

The Prime Minister said that "complete details of large scale projects in Sinai are available for  viewing" , adding that "such ventures will help boost the Development Process in Sinai".

Nazif was speaking during a meeting on Sunday 27/6/2010 with North Sinai Governor, Murad Muwafi.

According to Cabinet Spokesman Magdi Radi, Nazif said "it is essential to develop shanties in North Sinai and focus on the Tourism Sector.(SIS)

Global Arab Network

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