Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has reviewed a new social protection package aimed at supporting low-income and vulnerable citizens ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, as part of broader efforts to ease economic pressures and accelerate fiscal and structural reforms.
During a meeting on Saturday with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk, the president was briefed on measures designed to provide direct financial assistance to eligible households in time for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. According to presidential spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, Sisi directed the government to announce and implement the package before the start of the holy month to ensure timely support.
The assistance will take the form of direct cash transfers targeting the most vulnerable segments of society, reflecting the government’s continued reliance on targeted subsidy mechanisms to shield lower-income groups from inflationary pressures. The president also instructed that February salaries for state employees be disbursed within the current week, ahead of Ramadan.
The meeting also addressed additional funding allocations to complete the first phase of the Decent Life initiative, known locally as Hayah Karima Initiative. The flagship rural development program aims to upgrade infrastructure and living conditions in Egypt’s most underserved villages, expand job opportunities, and improve access to essential services, including healthcare and sanitation.
Health sector support was another key component of the discussions. The government plans to increase funding to enhance medical treatment services, reduce waiting lists for critical surgeries, and accelerate implementation of the Universal Health Insurance System. Officials have framed healthcare reform as central to strengthening social safety nets and improving quality of life.
Beyond immediate social measures, the meeting focused on broader economic reforms. Discussions included proposals to raise public sector wages and introduce a package of tax facilitation and reform measures for fiscal year 2026/2027. Planned reforms include simplifying tax procedures, modernizing the property tax system, and introducing adjustments to certain customs tariffs to support domestic industry, encourage investment, and combat smuggling. Additional measures are being considered to address long-standing demands from the industrial sector and enhance competitiveness.
Finance Minister Kouchouk also reviewed developments in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, as Egypt continues to implement an economic reform program aimed at stabilizing public finances and restoring macroeconomic balance. Reducing the ratio of budget sector debt to gross domestic product remains a stated national priority, alongside advancing the government’s medium-term debt management strategy.
Officials further discussed recent economic and fiscal performance indicators, as well as plans to strengthen investor confidence and enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy. The government has sought to balance fiscal consolidation with expanded social protection, particularly amid global economic volatility and domestic inflationary pressures.
The new social support measures, combined with structural tax and fiscal reforms, signal Cairo’s dual-track strategy: cushioning vulnerable populations in the short term while pursuing longer-term economic stabilization and growth. As Ramadan approaches, the government appears keen to demonstrate responsiveness to household concerns while maintaining momentum in its broader reform agenda.
