Mubarak Moves to Jumpstart Economy
BBC News reports:
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has held talks with ministers to try to revive an economy hit by a wave of anti-government protests.
Banks will reopen on Sunday, with Finance Minister Samir Radwan saying the economic situation was "very serious".
Analysts say the uprising is costing the country at least $310m a day.
Protesters remain in Cairo's Tahrir Square following Friday's mass rally calling for Mr Mubarak to resign.
Separately on Saturday, there were also reports of an explosion at a pipeline that supplies gas to Israel and Jordan. The blast caused a fire near el-Arish, Egyptian state television reported.
Mr Mubarak has said he will not stand for re-election in September but insists he must stay until then to prevent chaos in the country. Protesters demand that he goes immediately.
On Saturday, the president met the prime minister, finance minister, oil minister and trade and industry minister, along with the central bank governor.
Trade Minister Samiha Fawzi Ibrahim said exports were down 6% in January and that the authorities were providing extra food to try to stabilise prices and curb shortages.
Banks and the stock exchange have been closed for days, and many factories in the major cities have shut.
State media said the stock market would not now open on Monday as planned.
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