CABINET WATCH- Cabinet approves contracts with Russia’s Transmashholding, sets up unified rights committee: The Madbouly Cabinet approved yesterday the Egyptian National Railways’ agreement with Russia’s Transmashholding to supply 1,300 railway cars, according to an official statement. Egypt will pay around EGP 17 bn for the cars, with delivery expected to take place in six months to a year.

The ministers also approved establishing the Supreme Committee for Human Rights, which will be mandated with managing Egypt’s responses to all “allegations” made about our human rights record. The committee will also be in charge of studying issues pertaining to human rights in Egypt and suggesting ways to address the problems it identifies. It will also be required to issue periodical reports on the matter. The committee falls under the auspices of the Foreign Ministry.

Also given the greenlight yesterday:

• The Egyptian Electricity Holding Company’s request to sign the contracts for the USD 4.4 bn Hamrawein coal plant next month;
• A decree from the prime minister mandating the Housing Ministry with preparing a development strategy for the Sinai Peninsula;
• Raising the minimum annual budget for the Supreme Council of Antiquities to EGP 20 mn, up from EGP 10 mn;
• Direct order agreements with food companies that have met quality requirements to produce government-issued school meals.