Egyptian President to address Indo Egyptian Business Forum today

New Delhi, Nov 17 : Egyptian President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak, who arrived on a four-day visit to India, will address the Indo Egyptian Business Forum today.

The President is accompanied by a high-level delegation including several ministers, senior officials and businesspersons.

On Tuesday, President Mubarak will be presented the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding, which was conferred on him for the year 1995.

The focus of Mubarak's visit will be on intensifying strategic and economic cooperation between India and Egypt. The two countries are old friends and founders of the non-aligned movement and South-South cooperation.

During his visit, Mubarak will meet President Pratibha Patil and hold delegation level talks with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

He will also meet Vice President Hamid Ansari, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani. President Patil will host a State Banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary on Tuesday. Several agreements are expected to be signed during the visit. Bilateral trade between India and Egypt touched 2.2 billion dollars in 2006. The two countries are eyeing an ambitious target of achieving 10 billion dollars worth of bilateral trade by 2010.

Mubarak is visiting India after 25 years. He last came here in 1983 on a state visit.

ANI