Egyptian people's awareness encouraged us to take bold measures: Sisi

CAIRO - 31 July 2019: "Egyptian people's awareness encouraged the political leadership to take bold measures for necessary economic reforms". said President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Tuesday at the 7th National Youth Conference.

The President added that the country was in a state of collapse, and the measures were indispensable to overcome such deadlock.

"The government was reluctant to take these rigorous measure, however, confident of the Egyptian people's awareness, I took those measures to preserve the nation," Sisi said.

"I told the cabinet ministers then that if the people refused these measures, the government would resign and I would call for early presidential elections," he added.

I was betting on the Egyptians who have succeeded in overcoming the difficult situation, the president said.

The president expressed gratitude to Egyptians for enduring the hardships arising from the economic reforms.

During the session, President Sisi added that all ministers did their best over the past period to ease the burden on citizens.

In this regard, the president cited the great efforts exerted by the social solidarity minister to shorten the time needed to implement social protection packages in a year instead of two years, with a view to increasing the number of families benefiting from social protection programs.

The president also lauded the supply minister's efforts to ensure the availability of a sufficient stock of food supplies and basic goods.

President Sisi called for citizens to be aware that turning recommendations into a concrete reality requires the state to secure billions of pounds.

With regard to the state's endeavors to rationalize water usage, the president said a sum of EGP 70 billion was allocated to establish triple-phase waste-water treatment plants to maximize the use of every drop of water.

Responding to what was raised by the simulation's housing minister about development opportunities in Sinai and the law no. 14 of 2014, which prohibits the ownership of property by foreigners, President Sisi said he endorsed this law when he was serving as the defense minister to protect Sinai's land.

The president expressed his admiration for a proposal put forward by the participating young people to develop Ras Al Tin area in Alexandria.

At the end of the simulation, President Sisi thanked the simulation government's members for their efforts.

Nearly 1,500 youth participants from all 27 governorates attended at the conference. The participants will represents university students, political parties, the Presidential Leadership Program (PLP), along with other outstanding youth in different fields, and youth who registered online.

The first conference of “Dignified Life” initiative, aimed at the eradication of poverty, will take place. Before the closing session, “Ask the President”.

The sixth National youth Conference was held on July 28, 2018 in Cairo University, and was attended by up to 3,000 young people. The theme was human development and education reforms.

Additional Report with MENA