The army’s role in the economy would diminish within two to three years, Egypt’s PM Sherif Ismail said on Monday. Ismail said that the army maintains a role in managing national projects, stressing that the actual work is usually executed by private sector companies. “Today, there are certain projects that the state should be involved in along with the private sector. A state’s role is needed in some economic projects to ensure a balance and secure the market,” he added. He said this does not mean that he is telling the private sector not to bid for, or execute projects. “But in this stage the state should still have a role. The armed forces are a part of the state and we have to deal with it this way,” Ismail said. “We benefit from the army at certain times when we have a problem, and this is a normal procedure because they are organised and they have the capabilities to help us,” he said. (ahramonline)