Boosting cooperation
EGYPTIAN Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli and his Jordanian counterpart Bisher Al-Khasawneh on Monday chaired meetings of the 30th session of the Egyptian-Jordanian Joint Higher Committee. Ahead of the session, the two sides discussed means of strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields and tackled regional issues of common interest. Cabinet Spokesperson Nader Saad announced the signing of a number of protocols and programmes enhancing cooperation in agricultural quarantine inspection, higher education, scientific research, logistic areas, youth and media. Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat who headed the preparatory meetings of the session representing the Egyptian side, explained that the periodic convening of the Egyptian-Jordanian Joint Higher Committee “reflects the determination and keenness of the two brotherly countries to continue developing joint cooperation in economic, commercial and investment fields”. The volume of trade exchange between Egypt and Jordan during the first 11 months of last year amounted to $812 million, 73 per cent of which came from Egyptian exports. In her comments, Al-Mashat praised the results of the follow-up committee meeting held last week in the Jordanian capital Amman. The joint Egyptian-Jordanian higher committee began its meetings in 1985. For nearly four decades, the meetings resulted in the signing of many agreements that have significantly affected the economic, commercial, investment and cultural relations between the two countries.
Fastest internet
EGYPT came first in Africa for fixed broadband Internet speed, according to a January 2022 report by Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index. Egypt is currently ranked 86th worldwide, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat announced on Sunday while reviewing the report. Speedtest Global Index is the ranking system made by Ookla, a global leader in Internet testing, data and analysis that compares Internet speed data from users around the world on a monthly basis. The achievement, Talaat said, comes in light of the continuous policies taken by the ministry to improve Internet speed, in addition to plans by Telecom Egypt (TE) the country’s primary telecom operator, to improve their services. TE has implemented an integrated work plan to develop the communication infrastructure across the country. Furthermore, TE is expanding the deployment of intelligent assembly units relying on fiber-optic cables. Internet users in Egypt have significantly hiked, reaching 74.9 million in November 2021, according to a report issued by the ministry.
Ramadan regulations
THE MINISTRY of Religious Endowments announced on Monday that last year’s anti-Covid-19 rules related to mosques will take effect during the fasting month of Ramadan, scheduled to start on 2 April. The ministry also announced it would re-open women’s prayer areas at mosques during Ramadan, ending a two-year ban, if precautionary measures are followed. According to the ministry statement, mass night prayers, or taraweeh, will be allowed during Ramadan on condition they do not exceed 30 minutes. A ban on Ramadan charity banquets held publicly on the streets is still in effect.
Pharmacist jailed
A PHARMACIST has been jailed for two and a half years for fraud, impersonating a doctor, managing an unlicensed hospital and pharmacy and selling herbs and medicine that are not approved by medical authorities. Al-Dokki Misdemeanor Court on Sunday said Ahmed Abul-Nasr was also fined LE250,000. The ruling can still be appealed. The pharmacist, also known as the “curcumin doctor” had recently appeared in several televised ads promoting his products, claiming their ability to treat all kinds of illnesses. Abul-Nasr was arrested on Saturday in the wake of a complaint filed by one of his victims, accusing him of fraud and selling drugs and herbs of unknown origin. The Supreme Council for Media Regulation had previously reported that Abul-Nasr had been broadcasting content on unlicensed satellite channels.
*A version of this article appears in print in the 24 February, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
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