“Economic growth through political stability…”

In rare political debate , three prominent figures representing leading Egyptian political parties took part in a seminar organized by C.E.B.C. to discuss the implications of the constitutional amendments on political stability .The purpose of the seminar was to shed light on the political and economic dimensions of the political reform process .Dr. Mohamed Kamal , head of the education committee in the ruling National Democratic Party N.D.P ., was a leading participant in the seminar and represented his party during the discussions .

Dr. Kamal graduated from the faculty of political science, Cairo University and had his PhD from America. Another leading figure was Dr. Refaat El Saied , the leader of Tagamoa “ gathering ” party , which was established in 1976 .Dr. Monir Fakhry Abd El Nour , the secretary general of Al-Wafd party , also participated in the seminar that proved to be an important one for the various opinions and positions that were manifested through its duration .The seminar had its heated moments especially when the attendees disused the issue of citizenship which was portrayed by Dr. Refaat El Saied as a poetic notion in the minds of politicians and need a lot of work to be implemented on the ground .On the other hand , Dr. Monir Fakhry Abd El Nour said the political stability paves the way economic development and that distributive equality would ensure political stability .

He added that the current economic map shows that Egypt had made great achievements. According to Abd El Nour the exchange rate is stable; the trade balance is improving, the balance of payments has annual surplus of no less than 3 billion pounds and Egypt has an increasingly cash reserve , which exceeded 400 million dollars according to last month statistics

Reflecting on the Egyptian political scene, Dr. Mohamed Kamal hinted that Egypt needs strong political parties that are capable of producing solutions to the problems facing the country. He said that most of those who criticize the government or the ruling party do not have such solutions. He said that political development cannot be separated from economic development, and that we shouldn’t concentrate on economy and neglect politics. “The economic development realizes stability which is a prerequisite of democracy”, he said. He stressed that economic development creates the middle class which is the base and the pillar of democracy in any country. He said that Egypt witnessed numerous political and economic developments over the last 3 years. He stressed that constitutional amendments were, in part, the outcome of the ideas presented by the opposition parties and considered by the N.D.P.