The next decade (2007-2016) will be Egypt's decade of science and technology, President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak has declared, in a move that lends political support to the country's plans to expand its scientific and technological capabilities. 

Speaking at the country's 2006 Science Day ceremony on 20 December, Mubarak called on the government to enhance cooperation with its international partners in fields such as genetic engineering, new and renewable energy, space science, information technology and pharmaceutical research.

He called for increased research appropriations in the new budget and acceleration in establishing the fund of sciences and technological development as an independent body.