Egypt’s PM reviews strategic commodity reserves, subsidy reform ahead of Eid Al-Adha

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly met Supply and Internal Trade Minister Sherif Farouk on Monday to review the country’s strategic commodity reserves, subsidy reform efforts, and measures to improve the targeting of social support.

Farouk said the government is continuing efforts to ensure the stable availability of essential goods at reasonable prices, while intensifying market inspections to combat price manipulation and monopolistic practices.

He added that Egypt maintains safe strategic reserves of key commodities, in line with directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to protect domestic markets from supply disruptions.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the Unified Government Services Card, a digital platform designed to improve the efficiency and transparency of subsidy distribution. Farouk said coordination with relevant state institutions is ongoing to support the system’s digital transformation within a broader integrated government services framework.

Madbouly and Farouk also discussed the Carry On Initiative, which seeks to modernise state-affiliated supply outlets in cooperation with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) through a franchise-based model intended to expand services, create jobs, and provide financing and training for outlet operators.

Preparations for the upcoming Eid al-Adha season were also addressed, with the government outlining plans to secure adequate supplies of meat and other essential goods, while supply directorates remain on alert against hoarding and price violations.

The meeting also reviewed the local wheat procurement season, with officials reporting that collection operations are proceeding smoothly and farmers are receiving payments promptly, as Egypt aims to strengthen food security by increasing domestic wheat supplies.