Egyptian Cabinet to Benefit from Former Headquarters in Investment

Madbouly follows up efforts to benefit from state headquarters across the country. (Egyptian government)
Madbouly follows up efforts to benefit from state headquarters across the country. (Egyptian government)
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Egyptian Cabinet to Benefit from Former Headquarters in Investment

Madbouly follows up efforts to benefit from state headquarters across the country. (Egyptian government)
Madbouly follows up efforts to benefit from state headquarters across the country. (Egyptian government)

The Egyptian government seeks to benefit from its former headquarters following the transfer of ministries into the New Administrative Capital.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly stressed the government’s keenness on continuous follow-up of the state assets and on taking necessary steps to optimize them.

The PM noted that there are reports on several assets across the Egyptian provinces, including many proposals and recommendations on exploiting these assets by issuing them for investment by the private sector to achieve more returns.

Madbouly held a meeting on Thursday to follow up on optimizing the state assets. The meeting was attended by several ministers.

Egyptian government spokesperson Nader Saad said the meeting touched on some of the assets in the provinces of Cairo and Giza that overlook the Nile River in order to optimize them by issuing them for investment.

Last month, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with Madbouly and cabinet members at the Strategic Leadership Center in the New Administrative Capital.

The spokesman for the Presidency, Ahmed Fahmy, stated that the meeting discussed the government's plan to relocate ministries and various state agencies and institutions to the new capital.

According to the spokesman, Sisi directed intensifying efforts to ensure the government's move to the capital was smooth.

He noted that it could only be achieved through the modernization of buildings and premises and the qualification of workers, and providing training programs to government personnel to teach them modern methods of administration.

"These efforts, in turn, would contribute to establishing an efficient and effective administrative body," he said.

Moreover, Saad added that the meeting pointed out that the Sovereign Fund of Egypt would start evaluating the assets which were showcased during the meeting and the buildings and lands they have.

The assessment will be based on global assessors for the sake of marketing the assets and establishing investment projects on them, especially since these lands are in unique regions on the Nile River.



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.