Egypt’s parliament to vote for establishing Egyptian Space Agency

CAIRO – 29 November 2017: The Egyptian Parliament will vote on a law to establish an Egyptian Space Agency in the next few days after the approval of the Education and Scientific Research Committee.

Egypt Today presents the top 10 facts about the law:

1. The draft law for the establishment of an Egyptian Space Agency presented by the government consists of 16 articles.

2. The law aims to create a public authority called the Egyptian Space Agency, which would legally recognize and follow the orders of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

3. The Agency would be headquartered in Cairo, and may have branches throughout Egypt.

4. The Agency aims to transfer, localize and develop space science and technology with a view to being able to build and launch satellites from the Egyptian territories, in order to serve the country's strategy in areas of development and national security.

5. The aim of the law is to develop the general strategy of the State in the field of space science and technology, to acquire this technology, support research, studies and educational programs in the field of space science and technology.

6. The resources and sources of the Agency's funding shall be derived from appropriations provided by the State, loans and grants, donations, contributions and benefits, for the work and services performed by the Agency and the return on investment of the Agency's funds.

7. The Agency may carry out all acts and actions that would achieve its established purpose. It may contract directly with persons, companies, banks, local and foreign bodies, taking into account the requirements of national security.

8. The Supreme Council of the Agency will be headed by the President of the Republic, and the membership of the Prime Minister, Ministers of Defense, Communications, Finance, Scientific Research, Scientific Production, Head of General Intelligence Service and Executive Director of the agency.

9. The Agency shall be governed by a Council formed by a decree from the President of the Republic, headed by the Prime Minister, and the membership of the Minister concerned with Scientific Research, Communications and the Executive Director of the Agency.

10. The Agency Board of Directors shall be the responsible authority for its affairs, administration and shall exercise its powers in the manner specified in this Law.