President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held on Sunday a meeting with Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, Finance Minister Amr al-Garhy and Planning Minister Hala al-Saeed, in which he gave instructions on allocating more expenditure in the sectors of social development, especially health and education services in the coming budget. Sisi highlighted the necessity of promoting social security and economic development over the coming years through prioritizing the government's spending on services that impact citizens' daily lives, including health and education services. During the meeting, Finance Minister Amr al-Garhy reviewed the new budget of the coming fiscal year, ahead of submitting it to parliament. He said the new budget aims at achieving financial control and reducing the budget deficit and debt through rationalizing expenditure and stimulating an increase in economic growth rates. The finance minister also highlighted the government's continued commitment to subsidizing food commodities and expanding programs of direct cash subsidy.

Source: Egypt Independent March 27, 2017 10:41 UTC