Continuing path of trust and partnership with business community through tax, customs and property tax facilitation packages

Current fiscal year's budget includes real increase in public sector wages, with larger increases targeted for health and education workers

Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said the government is working to continue building trust and partnership with the business community through the implementation of packages of tax, customs and property tax facilitation measures, noting that the current fiscal year's budget includes a real increase in public sector wages, with larger increases targeted for workers in the health and education sectors.

In the 13th edition of the Citizen Budget, the minister said the government is targeting and working to achieve higher growth in allocations for health and education, with the budget prioritizing human development. He pointed out that encouraging production and exports is a priority, with allocations earmarked to help build a more competitive economy that is more responsive to citizens and investors.

He added that fiscal policy has four priorities that complement the economic path aimed at stimulating investment, growth and development. The government is working to boost economic activity, maintain fiscal stability and support citizens, in addition to implementing a consistent and integrated strategy to ensure improvements in government debt indicators, debt servicing and debt maturity.

Yasser Sobhy, Deputy Finance Minister for Fiscal Policies, pointed out that EGP 90 bn has been allocated to programs supporting economic activity to enhance investment opportunities and deepen the partnership with the private sector. This includes EGP 48 bn for export burden rebates and support for exporters, EGP 6.7 bn to support tourism, and EGP 6 bn to finance incentives for productive sectors in order to maximize Egypt's industrial and agricultural capabilities.

Sarah Eid, the minister's adviser for transparency and community participation, said the ministry is working to build bridges of communication with citizens, stressing: “We are all partners in preparing, implementing and monitoring the budget.” She noted that the government aims to highlight fiscal policy priorities to advance the path toward “participatory budgeting” across the governorates, while also explaining public spending priorities and involving citizens in identifying local development priorities.

She added that the 13th edition of the Citizen Budget has been published on the Ministry of Finance's website:

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