The first session of the economic axis committees of the National Dialogue kicked off yesterday with active participation from various segments of the society.
Held at the Cairo International Convention Centre in Nasr City, the economic axis included 4 sessions, two for the issues of social protection programmes.
The other two sessions were devoted to drawing up the tourist map in Egypt, and boosting means of stimulating tourism investment in all its forms.
Dr Ahmed Mahmoud Jalal, general rapporteur of the economic axis, said in a statement that he hopes the dialogue would provide a safe transition from the current economic crisis to a brighter future.
He added in his speech at the first session of the Social Justice Committee of the economic axis, which was held under the title “social protection programmes … the present reality and new developments.”
“The work of the National Dialogue is not confined to evaluating the government, but to allow for a real opportunity to create a better future for all of us”, he said.
He noted that the economic problem in Egypt does not need to be exaggerated or underestimated, explaining that ‘Egypt is now in a position that enablesit to think in issues with sobriety, calmness, and interaction between various forces, both supporters and the opposition’.
Praisingthe role of the Decent Life Initiative in supporting the neediest villages, Jalal said that social justice is based on the principle of equal opportunities. He pointed out that social justice is broader than social protection.
For his part, the Rapporteur of the Social Justice Committee, Dr Abdel-Hadi Al-Qasabi, said there is no country without challenges. He noted that the dialogue aims to set out the important priorities, recommendations, and proposals that can be implemented as per the legislations.
He added that the success of the National Dialogue is the responsibility of all participants, explaining that ‘all cases put up for discussion were expressive of the problems of the country and its people’.
Dr Nora Ali Abdel Samie, Rapporteur of the Tourism Committee, said that the National Dialogue is a unique experience and a constructive mechanism to tackle various issues in a manner befitting ‘our new republic’.
She noted that the state pays special attention to the tourism sector, as it is a fundamental pillar of the Egyptian economy.
“We aim to develop a new future for tourism, and to create a future worthy of the people of the country. Therefore, the tourism is highly important as a source of hard currency,’ she said.
For his part, Yasser El-Hodiby,Al-Wafd party Spokesman, said that the National Dialogue paves the way for the implementation of the comprehensive development strategy as enshrined in “Egypt’s Vision 2030”.
He added in statement to The Egyptian Gazette that the National Dialogue is open to all and that ‘there is a strong linkage between economy and politics.
He underlined the fruitful role of youth in the dialogue and their constructive ideas and views, He pointed out that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi pays attention to empowering the youth since he took office in 2014.
Hodiby stressed the necessity to uphold the national interest at the expense of narrow partisan and personal interests.