Egypt's parliament – the House of Representatives – will get down to business on Sunday.

 

Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology Amr Talaat is scheduled to deliver a statement on the implementation of the government's programmes in the telecommunication sector.

 

On Monday, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Saeed will also appear before parliament to present the economic priorities of the government in the coming stage. El-Saeed will also deliver a detailed statement on the economic policies of Egypt between 2018 and 2020 as well as the progress implementation of the so-called 'Egypt Kicks Off' development programme.

 

A number of 26 cabinet ministers have so far delivered statements on the future priorities of their portfolios and the implementation of the 'Egypt Kicks Off programme'. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly began reviewing the government's development programmes on 18 January.  He vowed that all cabinet ministers would come to parliament to address MPs on their priority policies.

 

On Tuesday, parliament will begin discussing new amendments to the Traffic Law (No.66/1972). In general, the amendments aim to impose new annual fees on vehicle licensing. A report prepared by parliament's transport committee said the new amendments to the traffic law aim to support "smart transport systems" which are necessary to reduce car accidents, improve road quality and cut fuel consumption and pollution.

 

The report also indicated that the amendments will help traffic authorities impose automatic control on the movement of vehicles on all kinds of roads. "Egypt is currently building a big number of roads using new smart technology necessary to achieve traffic discipline,  implementing the state's development objectives and bringing car licensing under strict control," said the report, adding that "in order to meet these objectives, the government will need new financial resources to support roads with new modern technology systems and techniques."

 

The report said there will be amendments to three articles of the traffic law. "Article 51 will be amended to impose an annual fee on vehicle licensing to be used in developing smart transport systems, this fee will be increased by 6 per cent every year," said the report, adding that "all vehicles will be asked to use 'electronic stickers' against a payment of EGP 50 per one. Vehicles owned by the ministries of defence and interior will be exempted from paying any new annual fees for national security reasons."

 

The report also indicated that article four will be amended to impose fees on vehicles depending on their litre capacity. "A private car with less than 1300 litre capacity, for example,  will pay an annual fee of EGP 60 as for that with a litre capacity between 1300 and 1600 will pay EGP 75…etc," added the report.

 

All vehicles will have to adjust their conditions in line with the above amendments within six months of the date of the issuing of the law's executive regulations.