New State Budget Aims to Provide Better Life, Raise Citizens’ Living Standards

 

CAIRO, Sept. 22, 2026 — The second workshop on the social protection system kicked off for Aswan Governorate, attended by Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk, Aswan Governor Eng. Amr Lasheen, and Chitose Noguchi, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt. The meeting was moderated by Dr. Hania Sholkamy, Advisor to the Finance Minister for Economic Justice Policies.

 

Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said the new fiscal year budget aims to make a significant difference in people’s lives across the country, while also seeking to develop domestic resources and ensure responsible spending. He emphasized that the state adopts ideas aimed at serving the public interest after coordinating and preparing them to ensure they are suitable for implementation on the ground.

 

Kouchouk pointed out that a number of government systems related to procurement and spending need further development to become faster and more flexible. He added that the Finance Ministry’s main objective is to play a developmental role by supporting all other ministries in carrying out their responsibilities to the fullest.

 

Kouchouk said the Finance Ministry is not seeking only to safeguard the state’s rights, but also, at the same time, to improve the services provided to citizens. He stressed the need for sound financial planning, saying that without it, sustainability cannot be achieved and the country will not be able to successfully continue its course of work. The state, he explained, is like a family, where revenues should be proportionate to the level of expenditure.

 

For his part, Aswan Governor Amr Lasheen presented the governorate’s vision for 2040 and noted that Aswan serves as a link between Egypt and African markets, thanks to its ideal location for logistics zones and collection and distribution centers, in addition to the significant investment opportunities the governorate offers in trade-related services and industries.

 

For her part, Chitose Noguchi, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt, said sound fiscal policies enable countries to confront and overcome economic and political challenges. She underscored the importance of prudent spending on social protection programs to ensure a positive social impact, including empowering women, young people and other segments.