Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) will convene its second annual congress on Tuesday to push forward reform in the most populous Arab country.

Under the title of "A New Thought and Priorities of Reform," about 2,500 delegates of the party throughout Egypt will gather here to advance the country in the right direction.

According to the state-run media, the participants are expected to focus on ways to improve the living standards of low-income people, create more jobs, address the issue of over-population as well as develop education and health services.

In addition, the creation of a climate conducive to luring investments, expanding exports, enhancing the efficiency of the state's administrative apparatus, ensuring the rule of law and safeguarding public freedoms would be discussed.

Well-informed sources said the 41-year-old Gamal Mubarak, secretary of the influential policy committee of the NDP and son of President Hosni Mubarak, will announce a new strategy to ensurethe smooth implementation of political and economic reforms set out by the party.

On Sept. 12, Gamal Mubarak said the issue of amending the Constitution would not be raised at the NDP gathering, and the party would table a paper on citizenship and democracy outlining 19 rights for the people protected by the Constitution and the law.

"The conference will address nine major political, economic andsocial issues," he said.

On the political arena, the ruling party will outline its viewson laws related to the People's Assembly, parties and political rights, he added.

Economically, the NDP will table six papers on combating poverty, improving the conditions of low-income people, protecting competitiveness and preventing monopoly, managing the state's assets and reforming the financial sector, customs and sales taxes,he said.

Source: Xinhua