LEGISLATION WATCH- The Ismail cabinet has referred public procurement and traffic acts to the House of Representatives for a vote, according to a Cabinet statement. The Public Procurement Act, which had been with Maglis El Dawla (Council of State) as of last month, grants Egyptian products preferential treatment in government contracts as a means of promoting local industry. Cabinet had introduced amendments to the traffic law that would set new rules for licensing and hike fines for traffic infractions, as well as require the installation of a GPS tracker as a condition for licensing four-wheel drive vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Council of State completed its review of amendments to the Unified Building Code and the executive regulations to the Labor Unions Act, Al Shorouk reports. The council also reviewed draft legislation to grant the Egyptian General Petroleum Company a gold exploration license for the Omm Oud and Hangaliya concession in the Eastern Desert.

In other legislative news, the House Culture Committee began a second review of the Media Act, Part 2, which it hopes to complete by early April, Al Masry Al Youm reports. The committee will then hold a press conference to announce details of the amendments, which focus on setting regulations and guidelines for those working in the media. Part 1 of the Media Act, was split into two sections back in 2016 and passed, sets up the three main industry regulators.