Al Akhbar, P.1 (18-11-2008)

The key objective is Egypt's interests

By: Mohamed Barakat (from New Delhi): (Chief Editor of Al Akhbar)

As is the case in all his contacts, talks, visits to friendly countries and intensive meetings with foreign officials, President Mubarak is always motivated by Egypt's interests.

Yesterday, President Hosni Mubarak has been discussing the whole day the means to enhance economic relations with India. He invited senior Indian businessmen and CEOs of major Indian companies and institutions working in the fields of trade, industry, investment, IT, communication and tourism to have investments in Egypt and open branches for their companies in
the industrial zones and cities.

During the Egyptian-Indian Business Forum, which was held yesterday in the Indian capital New Delhi with the presence of businessmen from the two countries, President Mubarak clearly stressed that Egypt wholeheartedly welcomes full cooperation with India in all walks of life, after all obstacles impeding investments were removed and a friendly-investment atmosphere is created. He also welcomed the establishment of joint ventures between the two countries in Egypt.

In his interaction with the senior businessmen, President Mubarak clearly said that it is time to give a strong push for the Egyptian-Indian partnership. He added that there are several opportunities available for strengthening joint cooperation in all fields, especially IT, energy, telecommunication, trade and India. Accordingly, partnership between the sides can be promoted and expanded to cover other areas, thus achieving the interests of the two peoples.

Following up the Business Forum yesterday, I assure you that President Mubarak's invitation for Indian businessmen and companies to have investments and joint ventures in Egypt was highly welcomed by the Indian side, specially after many of the Indian businessmen, who have investments in Egypt, praised the investment atmosphere in Egypt in view of the recent Egyptian economic reforms.

I would like to say that the meetings, which President Mubarak has held so far in his important visit to India, focused on the economic aspects and common interests, which have become the dominating factor everywhere in t
he world. President Mubarak is always preoccupied with the interests of Egypt and so he seeks to achieve them wherever he goes.

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