Latest news with #Madbouly
Egypt Independent
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Madbouly's media red line
'For every nation, newspapers serve as a benchmark of their standing in science, literature, ethics, and customs; they are the mirror reflecting all these aspects.' This quote from Ibrahim Al-Yaziji (1847-1906), founder of Cairo's Al-Diyaa magazine, came to mind when I saw Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly discuss acceptable and forbidden criticism in the media. The Prime Minister affirmed at a press conference the people's right to criticize, but set conditions: it shouldn't 'offend the image of the state.' That's how we understood his message. He alluded, without naming them, to countries that don't allow any negativity to be published about them, and even punish those who do. We certainly know which countries he's referring to, a subtle jab at ongoing skirmishes in the media and social sphere within the Arab world. However, Madbouly often misses the mark! He consistently confuses the state with the government, a grave error if you knew its significance, because the government is not the state; it is merely a government. The state is a far grander and loftier entity than any executive government. Therefore, discussions about 'the image of the state' should be left by the Prime Minister to other institutions. He should stop conflating them, something we've warned against in previous writings! Public service is a challenge, and constantly rehashing 'fourth and fifth-generation warfare,' even if true, shouldn't distract the government from its duties. It needs to look in the mirror, see itself, and discover its reality by standing before the mirror of its citizens. His remarks championed authoritarianism in media, where the government deems itself solely entitled to determine the facts and information reaching the public, all to preserve what it perceives as 'the image of the state.' This is despite the fact that times have moved on, and the circumstances have now become far more complex. According to this government-centric view, media institutions should adhere only to what is issued by the government and its entities. They should publish only the statements they receive, which often contain 'silent rhetoric' about their activities, and ignore any developments in how news and information are received. Currently, over 50 million Egyptians are active daily on social media! I honestly don't know the degree of freedom Madbouly desires for the media to be 'disciplined' (from his perspective) while simultaneously maintaining what he considers 'acceptable criticism' without veering into the 'evils of forbidden criticism.' Is acceptable criticism, then, merely adhering to the centralization of information and accepting the government's monopoly on news, interacting only with its uncommunicative messages and unrevealing reports? Because a fundamental, public expression of the government and its achievements is missing. The first lesson is to differentiate between the government and the state. I believe that, from Madbouly's perspective, 'acceptable criticism' means we should simply listen to his weekly pronouncements and report them verbatim, without any analysis or discussion. He seems to think this governmental disclosure is sufficient, despite every such announcement generating a mountain of questions, starting with its timing, duration, and topics, and extending to the government's communication skills with the public itself. Some might view the Prime Minister's remarks as a public reprimand directed at the media. However, I see it from another angle: it is, unfortunately, a tremendous opportunity for the very thing the Prime Minister fears most to proliferate—the flood of misinformation on social media. Because when professional institutional media is absent due to restrictions, the caves of disinformation on social media grow larger, seizing opportunities to prey on people's understanding and corrupt their minds. Any civilized nation must respect the press and view its vitality as being in the nation's highest interest, enabling it to learn and benefit from it in evaluating and improving public performance for the betterment of its people. As for drawing lines around 'acceptable criticism,' this would return to a practice the world abandoned long ago. Europe overcame the trials of its dark ages during the Renaissance through a true belief that transcended injustice in all aspects of society, and it all began with the word—the very same word that still seems to bother the Prime Minister. Author's bio: Alaa Al-Ghadrify has been the Editor-in-Chief of Al Masry Al Youm newspaper since October 2023, and the Executive Editor-in-Chief at ONA Media Group since 2016. He is also an opinion writer in Al-Watan newspaper and Masrawy website, and an advisor at the Egypt Media Forum. He further serves as a lecturer in television journalism and in-depth journalism for postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo University. He worked as Editor-in-Chief of CBC Extra channel, which he founded, as former Managing-Editor of Al Watan newspaper, and former Executive Editor-in-Chief of its website. He also co-founded the Al Masry Al Youm newspaper, the Al Watan newspaper, and the Al Ashera Masaan program on Dream TV channel, and was the Head of Program Editing at Alhurra channel.
Daily News Egypt
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
PM Madbouly chairs meeting on developing Egypt's sugar sector
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Monday reviewed efforts to develop the country's sugar industry, with a focus on boosting local production and reducing reliance on imports, his office said in a statement. Madbouly chaired a meeting in the city of New Alamein attended by the ministers of supply and agriculture, as well as officials from the Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development Authority and the state-run Holding Company for Food Industries. The meeting discussed the state's strategy for growing the sugar industry, especially with the increase in sugar beet cultivation in areas managed by the Future of Egypt authority. It also covered the development of various industries linked to sugar production and opportunities to maximise their benefits. The prime minister's spokesperson, Mohamed El-Homsany, said the meeting aimed to ensure a stable supply of sugar for the local market, particularly in light of global supply chain challenges. The officials also discussed efforts to implement environmental remediation plans in various sugar factories across Egypt to comply with environmental standards and achieve sustainability. The challenges facing these factories and plans for future modernisation and expansion were also on the agenda. During the meeting, Salah Fathy, the managing director of the state-owned Sugar and Integrated Industries Company (SIIC), presented his company's capabilities and its factories that produce sugar from both sugarcane and sugar beet. He noted that SIIC owns eight sugarcane factories in the governorates of Minya, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, and Aswan, in addition to an integrated industrial complex in Giza that refines sugar and is involved in chemicals, distillation, perfumes, food industries, and the manufacturing of paper and wood from sugarcane waste. Fathy reviewed the company's sugar production volume and the capacity of its factories to utilise by-products from sugarcane and beet, including molasses, fodder, bagasse, and animal feed. These by-products are used to produce ethanol, yeast, bio-fertilizers, food-grade carbon dioxide, natural vinegar, folic acid, organic solvents, and organic fertilizers, as well as energy, particle board, pulp, paper, and MDF wood. He also presented the company's vision for increasing the productivity of sugarcane per acre and reaching the maximum capacity of its factories to meet the state's sugar needs and increase the financial returns for farmers.
See - Sada Elbalad
3 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt's PM Meets German Minister to Discuss Development Cooperation
H-Tayea Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly held a meeting on Sunday with Reem Alabali-Radovan, the newly appointed Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany. The meeting took place in New Alamein City and was attended by Minister of Planning and Economic Development Dr. Rania Al-Mashat and Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty. At the outset of the meeting, Prime Minister Madbouly extended his warm welcome to the German minister and congratulated her on her new position, also offering best wishes for the success of the new German government. He noted that her visit to Egypt — particularly to New Alamein — reflects the strength and depth of Egyptian-German relations. He also highlighted the many areas in which the two nations have been cooperating, both bilaterally and in addressing broader Middle East issues. Madbouly emphasized that the longstanding partnership between Egypt and Germany is built on mutual interests and shared commitments to advancing sustainable development goals. He noted that Germany's development cooperation programs in Egypt focus on several vital areas, including the expansion of renewable energy, improved energy efficiency, technical and vocational education, water resource management, and private sector development. The Prime Minister also pointed out that Egypt and Germany have recently taken tangible steps to broaden their cooperation, through economic and development agreements, debt swap programs, and joint initiatives aimed at supporting national priorities. He reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to deepening this strategic relationship and expanding the scope of cooperation across all sectors. Madbouly expressed his hope that Germany would continue to play a supportive role in enhancing Egypt's ties with the European Union, and that the two countries would jointly pursue initiatives that benefit not only both peoples, but also the wider region. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Daily News Egypt
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt, Germany discuss strengthening cooperation and the Gaza crisis
Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly met on Sunday with Germany's new Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan, to discuss deepening their bilateral partnership, with a focus on sustainable development and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. During the meeting in New Alamein City, the German minister affirmed her country's support for Egypt's efforts regarding the situation in Gaza, backing the two-state solution and rejecting the displacement of Palestinians. Madbouly stated that the long-standing partnership between the two nations is built on shared interests and a commitment to advancing sustainable development. 'The long-term partnership between Egypt and Germany is based on common interests and mutual commitments to advance sustainable development efforts,' Madbouly said, noting that German development cooperation with Egypt focuses on expanding renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, developing technical education, improving water resource management, and strengthening the private sector. The meeting was also attended by Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Rania Al-Mashat, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty. The German minister, on her first visit to Egypt, expressed her confidence that the visit would yield positive results for the mutual interests of both countries. 'Reem Alabali-Radovan affirmed the strength and diversity of the relations that bind Egypt and Germany in various fields, especially economic,' a government statement said. On the regional situation, the minister stated that her visit 'confirms Germany's support for the Egyptian role regarding the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, renewing her country's support for the two-state solution and its rejection of the displacement of Palestinians from their land.' Madbouly noted that Egypt and Germany had recently taken practical steps to expand their cooperation, signing economic and development agreements alongside debt-swap programmes and other joint initiatives. He expressed Egypt's keenness to broaden cooperation and its hope for Germany's support for Egyptian-European relations within the framework of theEuropean Union. During the meeting, Planning Minister Rania Al-Mashat said the bilateral economic cooperation portfolio between Egypt and Germany amounted to about 1.6 billion euros. She stated these funds aim to implement development projects in priority sectors such as energy, climate, water supply, sanitation, irrigation, migration, solid waste management, and enhancing private sector competitiveness. Al-Mashat also expressed her aspiration to diversify cooperation frameworks and attract more German investment, technical support, and expertise to support the resilience of the Egyptian economy and its economic reform programme. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed his hope to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership and stressed the importance of attracting more German investment to Egypt, particularly in light of the improving investment climate. Abdelatty also addressed the economic burdens on Egypt from hosting more than 10 million migrants and refugees, expressing his hope for support to alleviate these pressures and enhance cooperation on migration issues. He outlined Egypt's efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and said he looked forward to Germany's high-level participation in a post-ceasefire recovery and reconstruction conference for the strip.
Daily News Egypt
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt to prepare investment package for U.S. companies, says PM
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has directed his government to prepare a package of investment opportunities to be presented to U.S. companies, as part of efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. The directive came during a meeting on Sunday to follow up on efforts to enhance Egypt-U.S. economic ties, according to a cabinet statement. Madbouly stressed the government's interest in bolstering the strategic and historical ties between the two nations and its keenness to overcome any obstacles to joint cooperation. He noted that there are many promising opportunities available for American companies, given the significant incentives the Egyptian government offers to foreign investors. The meeting was attended by the ministers of planning, foreign affairs, and investment, while the minister of industry and transport participated via video conference. Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel al-Wazir, reviewed investment opportunities that have been presented to U.S. companies in sectors including ports, maritime transport, and industrial zones. Minister of Planning and Economic Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, discussed development cooperation with the United States, including projects funded through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib also reviewed their respective ministries' efforts to support bilateral ties, trade, and U.S. investment in Egypt. At the conclusion of the meeting, Madbouly instructed all relevant authorities to coordinate on preparing the set of promising investment opportunities and to follow up on presenting them to American companies to enhance U.S. investments in Egypt.
