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A Ministerial Committee for the Dev

A Ministerial Committee for the Development of the Suez Canal Region
The Prime Minister issued decree No. 144 of 2013 creating a Ministerial Committee for a new project for the development of the Suez Canal region as a logistical axis (the “Decree”).[1] The Committee will be headed by the Minister of Housing and Urban Communities and shall include the three Governors of the Suez region - the governors of Ismailia, Port Said and Suez. Four ministers shall also be included: The Minister of Investment, the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, the Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade, and the Minister of Transport, in addition to the Director of the National Centre for Planning State Land Use. The Committee is to submit a quarterly report to the Prime Minister describing its work, accomplishments and proposals. The Decree stated that the head of the Committee is to issue a decree forming another group being a permanent technical group consisting of representatives of all the concerned bodies to create the legal framework and the basic plan of the “project” as well as to overcome the obstacles facing currently running developmental projects. The Committee's Responsibilities according to the Decree:
  1. Preparing a comprehensive plan focusing on investment opportunities in the area and the predicted benefits of such opportunities as well as determining the areas of land that will be used for each activity.
  1. Working on the quick launch of developmental programs in the following regions:
  • East Port Said
  • South West of the Suez Gulf;
  • Technology Valley;
  1. Preparing an initial proposal for the legal and institutional form for the project.
  1. Suggesting infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, electricity stations, etc.
Conclusion
The development of the Suez Canal region and the surrounding area is a topic of economic importance, and the concern of the government is welcome. However, the establishment of yet another Ministerial Committee is neither useful not sufficient without a new and overarching vision for the development of the area and the promotion of economic activity there.   [1] Prime Minister’s Decree No. 144/2013 forming a Ministerial Committee for the development of the Suez Canal region, Official Gazette, Issue No. 7 (bis) (c), 20 February 2013.
The Prime Minister issued decree No. 144 of 2013 creating a Ministerial Committee for a new project for the development of the Suez Canal region as a logistical axis (the “Decree”).[1] The Committee will be headed by the Minister of Housing and Urban Communities and shall include the three Governors of the Suez region - the governors of Ismailia, Port Said and Suez. Four ministers shall also be included: The Minister of Investment, the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, the Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade, and the Minister of Transport, in addition to the Director of the National Centre for Planning State Land Use. The Committee is to submit a quarterly report to the Prime Minister describing its work, accomplishments and proposals. The Decree stated that the head of the Committee is to issue a decree forming another group being a permanent technical group consisting of representatives of all the concerned bodies to create the legal framework and the basic plan of the “project” as well as to overcome the obstacles facing currently running developmental projects. The Committee's Responsibilities according to the Decree:
  1. Preparing a comprehensive plan focusing on investment opportunities in the area and the predicted benefits of such opportunities as well as determining the areas of land that will be used for each activity.
  1. Working on the quick launch of developmental programs in the following regions:
  • East Port Said
  • South West of the Suez Gulf;
  • Technology Valley;
  1. Preparing an initial proposal for the legal and institutional form for the project.
  1. Suggesting infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, electricity stations, etc.
Conclusion
The development of the Suez Canal region and the surrounding area is a topic of economic importance, and the concern of the government is welcome. However, the establishment of yet another Ministerial Committee is neither useful not sufficient without a new and overarching vision for the development of the area and the promotion of economic activity there.   [1] Prime Minister’s Decree No. 144/2013 forming a Ministerial Committee for the development of the Suez Canal region, Official Gazette, Issue No. 7 (bis) (c), 20 February 2013.