New Year 2024 comes amidst regional and international challenges that have cast their shadows on Egypt in 2023. This is particularly so with the Russian-Ukrainian war and the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza which have had their negative impacts on our nation’s economy and this is expected to continue in the New Year.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who had has successfully combated terrorism and external conspiracies in recent years, can also meet the current challenges, safeguard our security and open further horizons for future development.
The year 2023 ended with President Sisi sweeping to third term with 89 per cent of the vote in the presidential elections, which witnessed a massive turnout. This result is an expression of the trust of the trust of the Egyptian people in their leader to deal with the economic fallout from the Russian-Ukrainian war and the war on Gaza.
With the start of the new Year, the government will continue efforts to improve infrastructure, utilities and public services while maintaining the nation’s financial stability amidst the current global challanges by supporting productive sectors and lending assistance to those most affected by the economic crisis.
The government will keep working on the transition to green economy and reduce carbon emissions.
Through partnership with the private sector and international institutions, the state will secure further local and foreign investments to keep the economy balanced and resilient to the shocks of regional political events.
There is no doubt that the challenges are great, but the Egyptians’ support for their leader will certainly grant him the determination and power that enable him to overcome them, through sincere efforts of all Egyptians to boost production and build a strong economy that is capable of standing resilient to any external shocks.
In 2024, Egypt will keep up efforts to stop the Israeli war on Gaza, resolve disputes between Palestinian factions and settle the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, especially that what is taking place in Gaza, which is just few kilometres away from Egypt’s northeast borders.
In his speech following the announcement of his win the presidential elections, President Sisi pledged that he would continue throughout the year 2024 the National Dialogue he initiated in 2023.
The National Dialogue Board of Trustees announced in September the adjournment of its session until the conclusion of the presidential elections. This step was taken so that the National Dialogue participants would be able to express their views on the election freely.
The year 2024 is full of challenges on all fronts. However, the Egyptian people trust in their president’s ability to face them, continue the development process and provide a safe and decent life for all citizens.
Mohamed Fahmy is the editor-in-chief of The Egyptian Gazette and Egyptian Mail newspapers
