Hosni Mubarak family's fortune could reach $40-70 billion
Almaty. February 8. Kazakhstan Today - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his family's fortune has been estimated at $40-70 billion, Kazakhstan Today reports.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his family may be forced into exile before the year is out, but it will be exile padded by $US40 billion ($39.4bn) to $US70bn in cash, mostly scammed from public resources, according to Middle East experts, The Australian reported.
"The business ventures from (Mr Mubarak's) military and government service accumulated to his personal wealth," Amaney Jamal, of Princeton University, told the US's ABC news. "There was a lot of corruption in this regime and (tapping) of public resources for personal gain."
The Mubaraks, including the President's wife, Susan, and their two sons, Gamal and Alaa, are alleged to have billions salted away in Swiss accounts and to own property in some of the most prestigious locations in New York, Los Angeles and London.
A Wikileaks cable in 2006 from the then US ambassador in Cairo, Francis Ricciardone, mentioned a 274-page report by an opposition group outlining corruption accusations against the Mubarak family. The ambassador said the report was evidence of growing public anger that defied the danger of a government backlash.
In the current disturbances in Cairo, rioters set fire three times to a building owned by a steel tycoon and close confidant of Mr Mubarak's son, Gamal, who is often depicted at the centre of the system of crony capitalism that has permitted an elite class to thrive while most Egyptians live on less than $US2 a day.
Mr Mubarak is believed to have laid the foundations of the family fortune when he was commander of the air force by taking a cut from military contracts he approved.
Foreigners investing in Egypt are required to give a local partner a 20 per cent stake in start-up ventures. This gives the local partner the prospect of huge profits with no initial outlay. "Almost every project needs a sponsor, and Mubarak was well-placed to take advantage of any deals on offer," said Christopher Davidson, of Durham University.
Aladdin Elaasar, author of The Last Pharaoh, said the Mubaraks indulged in a lavish lifestyle and had several palatial homes around the country. "Gamal and Alaa are partners in the biggest trade and industrial companies in Egypt, practically paying nothing." Gamal, the younger of the brothers, had been designated by his father as his heir-apparent but public outrage forced Mr Mubarak to cancel that plan at the beginning of the uprising last month.
The atmosphere of corruption in Egypt is pervasive, extending into the security services and army, one of the major factors that has sent millions of Egyptians protesting into the streets.
Heraldsun correspondent reports the 82-year-old leader met his new-look cabinet for the first time yesterday as the regime battled to get the economy moving despite demonstrations by pro-democracy activists occupying a Cairo square since January 25.
According to the official MENA news agency, the Cabinet approved a plan to increase state sector salaries by 15 per cent from April and to spend another 6.5 billion Egyptian pounds (about $930 million) boosting pensions.
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Kazakh, Kyrgyz presidents hold talks in Astana
Today we sign the Treaty on Deepening and Expanding Allied Relations, a historical document, which will give a new impulse to the development of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz ties," the Kazakh President said.
Our bilateral trade and economic cooperation strengthens year by year. Last year, commodity turnover reached $1.5 billion having increased by 26%. We set a goal to raise this indicator to $2 billion. A number of promising projects are implemented in this area. In whole, the agreements in trade-economic sector are fulfilled," the Kazakh President noted.
Holding the Days of Culture has already turned into a good tradition. We exchange experience in education. The contacts between the youth have intensified. Today we will open the monument to Manas in Astana, which proves a high level of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz relations. We are interested in bringing them to a brand new level," he stated.
Kazakhstan is our close partner, fraternal nation and one of the major trade partners. Kazakhstan is a priority in our foreign policy. There are no politcal or regional disputes between our countries. Since the first days of my presidency, you have constantly supported me in international structures and issues related to the expansion of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz relations. We are ready to provide all possible assistance to the fraternal Kazakh people in flood relief efforts. Our countries enjoy centuries-long friendship, fraternity, good-neighborly relations, common culture, spirituality and religion. I am confident that our mutual cooperation, strategic partnership will strengthen further," said Sadyr Zhaparov.
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Olzhas Bektenov discusses water resources management issues with Heads of Diplomatic Missions of European Union countries
The scale and consequences of the natural disaster require from us radically new approaches for the proper use of resources and avoidance of similar incidents in the future. In this matter we are particularly interested in the best practices and experience of European countries and companies. It is important to synchronise the efforts of the Government of Kazakhstan with the assistance programmes of the European Union," Olzhas Bektenov said.
The water issue is in the priority of our co-operation with Central Asia. Like other natural resources, water must have its price in order to be used efficiently. This will stimulate the introduction of more efficient technologies, and many European companies are ready to work in this direction," Kestutis Jankauskas said and confirmed the readiness to ensure the transfer of knowledge and technologies in the field of sustainable management of water basins and rivers.
The Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has set a task for the Government - to develop the agro-industrial complex and ensure rational use of water resources. Agriculture and food industry are among the most important sectors of our economy. We have a huge potential for the production of high-quality and organic agricultural products and foodstuffs. We are interested in increasing food exports to the EU market. Taking into account the advanced agrarian technologies of European companies, we invite you to create joint projects for the production and processing of agricultural products. For our part, we are ready to make every effort to create a favourable environment for doing business," Olzhas Bektenov said.
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Armenia is an important partner for Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
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Olzhas Bektenov pays working visit to Bishkek
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President Tokayev visits historic sites of Khiva
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Kazakh-Uzbek tandem is a vital need, says President Tokayev
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Kazakh President met with secretaries of SCO Security Councils
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Olzhas Bektenov meets with Chairman of XUAR People's Government of China Erkin Tuniyaz
An important direction of our interaction is the expansion of investment cooperation, supported by new joint industrial projects, including in the fields of petrochemicals and metallurgy," Olzhas Bektenov emphasised and noted the significant potential for diversification of trade relations.
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