Gamal Mubarak on what the future holds for the country’s youth - and for himself

Mr. Gamal Mubarak, chairman of the Future Generation Foundation (FGF), spoke to a packed gathering of AmCham members, journalists and VIP guests at the Cairo Marriott’s Aida Ballroom on February 7, addressing the subject of "Globalizing Egypt’s young generation: Challenges in the 21st century."

AmCham Egypt president Mohamed Mansour, in his welcoming remarks, noted Mr. Mubarak’s reputation for candor when discussing issues of crucial importance to the country. "He combines ideals with pragmatism," Mansour said.

In the hour that followed, the keynote speaker lived up to this reputation, handling sensitive issues with considerable tact, but without avoiding them altogether.

This was Mubarak’s first time addressing one of AmCham’s monthly luncheon meetings, and he started off by explaining the mission and role of the organization he represents. The FGF aims to develop young people into "skilled professionals and responsible citizens," he said. The foundation does this by helping to set priorities in education and training programs. "Our youth need the right tools to compete in a global environment," he said. The FGF’s approach can provide "a functional model for how we can sow the seeds of change."

One of the foundation’s goals is to establish a "world-class graduate-level management school in Egypt, in conjunction with an international institution." However, the greatest part of its efforts and resources are concentrated on its Basic Skills Acquisition Program, which provides training in English-language skills and computer literacy, along with business ethics and corporate culture.

As head of the FGF, Mubarak recently took the opportunity to travel up and down Egypt to meet with young people and discuss their concerns – an experience he said had touched him deeply.

He also - to the surprise of some guests - went on to talk about why he decided to embrace the NDP, the ruling political party, as a potential vehicle for constructive social development. "I happen to agree with what the NDP stands for," Mubarak said. He said that the party had not succeeded so far in articulating its policies to people.

Mubarak joined the party last year, following a period of speculation that he might be involved in setting up a new global-minded, free-market oriented party along with a group of disaffected NDP members – speculation Mubarak continues to deny.

The highlight of the event, however, was undoubtedly the question and answer session that followed the speech. Though the questions were read out by AmCham board members Mohamed Ozalp and Curt Ferguson, Mubarak promised to answer any question to the best of his ability. Still, the audience appeared pleasantly surprised when some of the questions touched on the issues of presidential succession and the guest speaker’s political future.

First, however, Mubarak was asked to comment on issues pertaining to U.S.-Egyptian economic relations. Asked what points he thought should be emphasized to U.S. policymakers in AmCham’s upcoming DoorKnock mission, Mubarak said that the Egyptian delegates should stress the need for investment, the importance of boosting Egyptian exports, and the desirability of starting to establish the framework for a possible U.S.-Egyptian free-trade agreement. "Egypt is, and should be, an attractive destination for U.S. investment," Mubarak said.

How can Egypt ask for a free-trade agreement in the midst of a highly publicized boycott of U.S. products? Mubarak argued that the problem must be "flipped around" to help Americans understand it. Just as there is a range of viewpoints within the U.S. with regard to the Middle East, calls for a boycott should not be taken as the definitive Egyptian position. "We do have internal issues, just as the U.S. does," he said. "But don’t take that as a statement of official policy. Officials have stuck their neck out to give a balanced view to the population at large."

He went on to defend the government’s record on privatization, saying that although the world market had not been favorable in the past year, the country was firmly set on the path towards a free market. Compared to the mid-1990s, "the types of issues discussed now are different," he said. "I expect that in the coming year we will see government giving the privatization process a strategic boost."

Conceding that the business community would benefit from more clarity in government policy, Mubarak said he believes the government is "prepared" to clear bureaucratic obstacles and implement new legislation, such as the pending draft laws on mortgages and intellectual-property rights.

Another question focused specifically on how to develop Egypt’s potential in the information-technology sector. According to Mubarak, the key is build a solid base by reforming the education system. FGF is currently working with several universities to design new curricula for universities and high schools. Although centralization is a deeply entrenched habit in Egypt, the country now needs "some decentralization in the way education is done." Greater flexibility in local government would help communities to appreciate the benefits of education initiatives, he added.

Following up on a point he had made in his speech that the country needs a three-way, cooperative effort from the private sector, government and civil society, Mubarak said that Egypt’s political leaders must work towards a "widening of their constituency." This would not necessarily require the formation of more political parties. "Even by Western democratic standards, you usually have three or four dominant parties," he said. However, "all players on the political scene - namely political parties – will have to find a way to reach out to youth. This is how I see my role in the coming years."

And what about that nagging question of executive succession? "The constitution is clear," he said. "There is no ambiguity or doubt in the case of an unforeseen eventuality."

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