At the core of the group are businessmen who share a pragmatic vision of Egypt's political economy that seeks to integrate the country into the global market and to strengthen bilateral ties with Europe and the US. Over the subsequent three years, this circle developed a strategy for the wholesale reform of the country's economy based on free market economics. By simplifying the country's complex tax system, Cairo would increase efficiency and bring more locals into the country's formal economy. By cutting customs tariffs and establishing trade agreements, international trade could grow. And an aggressive privatisation programme would reduce the disruptive influence of central government on business as well as reducing the burden of public services from the government balance sheet.

In July 2004, the group completed its rise to power, when a cabinet reshuffle saw all of the key economic posts filled by the reformers from the Policy Council. These include: Finance Minister Youssef Boutros-Ghali, who had for many years felt the frustration of being in the minority in the cabinet; Foreign Trade : Industry Minister Rashid Rashid; Investment Minister Mahmoud Mohieldin; Administrative Development Minister Ahmad Darwish; Telecommunications : Information Minister Tarek Kamel; and Transport Minister Issan Sharaf. The team is boosted on cabinet by the reform-minded Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, Tourism Minister Ahmed el-Maghrabi; and Youth Minister Anas al-Fiqqi.