The General Secretariat of Egypt's National Democratic Party (NDP) will convene today under Secretary General Safwat El-Sheirf to review final preparations for the 9th NDP Congress due Saturday.

Preparatory meetings will be held Friday to review working papers on various issues to be tackled during the conference.

During Thursday's meeting, Sherif will review a report assessing the party's performance and the outcome of the NDP's elections.

During the four-day conference, a new NDP chairman will be elected. On the fringe of the conference, President Hosni Mubarak will open an exhibition for national products and meet with businessmen, members at the NDP.

The conference will address amendments to the NDP statute as well as economic policies and their social dimension.

Gamal Mubarak, Secretary of the NDP's Policies Committee, will review a report on his secretariat's efforts during the past period.

The conference will also probe a report by Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif on the achievements realised by the government within the framework of Mubarak's electoral platform.

1/11/2007