Egypt’s Minister of Finance, Ahmed Kouchouk, said on Tuesday that government spending priorities during the first quarter of the current fiscal year have been recalibrated to mitigate the impact of ongoing exceptional circumstances.
He reasserted that all state entities are committed to rationalising expenditure while safeguarding essential outlays and maintaining the momentum of economic activity.
“The priority is to secure food supplies, medicines, and the requirements of the education sector, in addition to meeting energy needs in both petroleum and electricity,” Kouchouk said, noting the government’s commitment to allocating the necessary funding to ensure the stability of basic public services.
The finance minister added that implementation of energy-intensive projects has been slowed or temporarily postponed under current conditions.
Kouchouk also highlighted close coordination between the Ministries of Finance and Planning to rationalise capital expenditures and avoid launching new projects at this stage.
He noted that spending on training, travel, and events has been curtailed, along with other non-essential items that can be deferred.
The minister said efforts are underway to support budgetary entities in enhancing their own-source revenues, helping to ease pressure on the state budget.
