Finance Minister: Basic needs, social protection top fiscal agenda

2026-03-22 - 10:30

Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk stressed that the current priority is to secure sufficient and sustainable financial resources to meet citizens’ basic needs. He noted the ongoing coordination with all state entities to guarantee the availability of food commodities in the markets and secure energy sources. Kouchouk stated, during his chairmanship of the Crisis and Risk Management Committee at the Ministry of Finance, “We will continue increasing spending on vital sectors that most affect people’s lives, especially health and education,” stressing the importance of studying new and innovative mechanisms to expand more targeted social protection programs for the most vulnerable groups. He added, “We are moving forward with reform efforts to ensure financial and economic stability and to stimulate private sector growth,” pointing out that “we will continue maintaining economic activity, production, manufacturing, and exports through balanced fiscal policies that encourage investment.” He also highlighted the ongoing work on the export support program and the study of new mechanisms to provide additional assistance to boost the export sector, reaffirming the commitment to supporting the automotive industry with various incentives that promote increasing local content. He explained, “We will continue implementing tax, customs, and real estate facilitation measures to ease burdens on citizens and investors,” highlighting the ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of public spending and direct financial allocations toward state priorities to achieve economic and developmental targets. He added, “We will work together to safeguard the country’s stable economic path, with steady financial performance indicators without compromising necessary expenditure levels,” emphasizing the need for daily monitoring of economic developments, global trade movements, and their negative impacts locally and regionally. The minister also stressed the importance of continuously monitoring global market developments, international institutions’ forecasts, and factors affecting oil prices. He further affirmed commitment to maintaining direct and positive communication with investment circles worldwide, explaining Egypt’s targeted economic measures to contain regional repercussions.