Al Shindagah

Al Shindagah | Issue 136 | 9 Rather than bemoan the fact that their country did not become a European clone overnight or hasten to apply for US visas, young Egyptians should roll up their sleeves. Like a mother newly released from intensive care, their country needs their energy, their enterprise, their innovation… and, yes, their love. No one turns their back on a parent in their time of need. Without love of the soil which bore us, we are as orphaned as the refugees fleeing Syria and Iraq. I was passionate about my own when all around us was sand. The United Arab Emirates was not produced from a magician’s hat. We built it together brick by brick on a strong foundation of unity, belief and hope. With patience and a stable government, there is nothing preventing Egyptians from doing the same or to be more precise bathing their country in good fortune once again. It has been an uphill battle, but today the country is back on a positive trajectory; its shattered economy is slowly but surely improving. For example, this month its foreign reserves reached a six-year high of $28.5bn. The flotation of the Egyptian Pound has resulted in inflation but on the upside has attracted substantial foreign investment that leapt by “39 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal year” according to Reuters. A newly passed investment law is designed to incentivize foreign investors by offering major tax discounts and the availability of free zones exempt from taxes and duties. And despite the fact that both Russia and the UK are dragging their feet with regards to restoring flights suspended following the downing of a Russian Metrojet, the tourism industry is recovering. The good news is that Egypt’s energy woes are over. British Ambassador to Egypt John Casson announced that British Petroleum is set to invest $13bn to “make Egypt the new energy superpower”. At the end of this year, the massive Zohr Mediterranean gas field discovered by the Italian company Eni is scheduled to begin production when the country is expected to transition from an energy importer to an exporter. For sure there is much still to be done. Parallel to its spending on infrastructure, the government should invest in its human capital, particularly in the areas of education and medical care, which are, as the President has acknowledged, below standard. A gradual reduction of subsidies makes perfect economic sense but there must be an effective safety net for the poorest sectors of society. Most crucially, the pervasive culture of corruption and cronyism which exists from top to bottom must be abolished. All citizens should enjoy equal opportunities according to their talents and should not have to pay bribes. The long-term solution lies with educators, televised public service announcements and harsh penalties for infringers. The authorities are working to change this. Lastly, I would strongly encourage all Egyptians to instil in their children the flame of patriotism. Let it burn bright and with enough patience and determination on the government’s part, just as they did during the first half of the 20th century, everyone will want to walk like an Egyptian.