The support file remains one of the most important challenges facing the Egyptian government, especially in light of its keenness to expand the umbrella of social protection and improve the standard of living of citizens. Despite the tremendous challenges that faced the Egyptian economy, the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade succeeded in fulfilling its obligations towards the various segments of the poor and low-income, by providing goods at low prices, and ensuring the arrival of support to those who deserve it, in addition to adopting a plan to expand the establishment of logistical areas in order to attract investments and provide job opportunities for young people.

In this context the CEBC& ECIC had the honor to host H.E. Dr. Ali Moselhy; Minister of Supply and Internal Trade discussing the topic “Support Policies and the Success of the Economic Reform Program”

In the opening remarks Eng. Motaz Raslan on behalf of CEBC & ECIC, welcomed our dear distinguished members, guests and ambassadors & he was pleased to congratulate our dear friend H.E. Minister Dr. Ali Moselhy, for renewing confidence in his sovereignty in the last cabinet reshuffle to continue his duties as Minister of Excellence and Internal Trade. He added that and certainly this trust has many indications of success in the difficult files as it has multiplied the extent of the responsibility to continue the road and resolve many of the thorny files that previous governments were unable to approach.

He added; 3 years ago, and specifically April 2017, six months after the decision to determine the exchange capacity, we hosted his Excellency the Minister, and at that time we were in the middle of the income and the poorest repercussions here and I say with all impartiality and sincerity that the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade was one of the key elements of the success of the economic reform program that was denied Egypt has been praised by the various international institutions, as it is said that Citizen is the true hero of the success of the reform program and that the Ministry of Supply was the unknown soldier in this program because of its key role in mitigating the effects of reform decisions and providing goods at reduced prices throughout the Egypt.

He also pointed that the number of cards used from the support system is 22 million cards with a total of 64 million beneficiaries in addition to 73 million beneficiaries of the exchange of subsidized bread and these numbers are certainly unacceptable and need to be filtered in order to ensure that support is properly directed to end the controversy over this file forever.  We focus on the development plans and efforts and guidance this saving of other benefits focused on building the Egyptian human being.

H.E. Dr. Ali Moselhy; Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, thanked all the distinguished guests & thanked CEBC & ECIC for inviting him to this audience & was happy with this special gathering. He described the economic situation in 2016 as “extremely critical”, after the monetary reserve fell to $14 billion, and the dollar became a commodity that is abnormally hit and reached the price of 20 pounds, along with low growth rates, what called the political leadership to make a bold and courageous decision to launch the reform program. Since then, it has had to provide social services and increase support allocations to maintain social stability for the neediest groups, which had to be protected to proceed with the implementation of the program, explaining that food support has been increased from 25 pounds to 50 pounds per person, and increased beneficiaries of the pension Solidarity and dignity. He pointed out that the results of the economic reform will be felt by the citizen, during the next year, after inflation drops to 4.5% and the unemployment rate decreases and production increases, as well as the appreciation of the pound against the dollar.

On internal trade, H.E. said that there are no wholesale markets organized in Egypt, except wholesale markets in transit and the city of October 6, and that other than them are semi-organized markets that follow chambers of commerce in some provinces, pointing out that the ministry has moved forward in a strategy for the development of wholesale markets and structure Basic for internal trade. He continued that next June 30, the mechanization of the 1,300 branches at wholesale companies such as the Egyptian Wholesale and General Company for Wholesale will be completed.

The Minister of Supply confirmed that the Ministry, in coordination with a number of stakeholders, is in the process of finalizing the commodity exchange and launching it by the end of this year, so that it can play a logistical role in the movement of internal trade and reduce intermediary links in the sale of goods, and serve small farmers, and then reduce prices Commodities, noting that goods bear about 30% of their value in transportation after energy prices have been liberalized.

He stressed the state’s plan to expand the establishment of logistics zones and commercial chains in different provinces, to reduce the trading rings of the commodity from the source to the consumer, as well as to provide the cost of transportation, which represents 30% of the total cost, and the goal is to establish 60 central and regional logistics zones. Through 2030, the Republic is divided into 8 central logistics areas, 3 of which are under implementation, along with 52 regional logistics areas currently under way.

The Minister of Supply announced that there is a Greek investor, considered one of the largest orange investors in Europe, will come to establish a logistics area in the new valley to grow 10 thousand acres of oranges, and pointed out that an integrated and unified law of trade was prepared, after it was found that work has been carried out by laws since 1945, pointing out The Common Trade Act is expected to see the light of day in the next parliamentary session, which is ready and reviewed by the Council of Ministers and presented to the Legislative Committee.

He added that the stamp in Egypt is still ticking with a pen, and that after the price of gold increased and its weights eased, the jewelry became vulnerable to damage if it hit the pen, and that the system must be developed, especially since most countries are knocking with laser. His Excellency also announced the completion of a contract with a company to develop the stamp system on jewelry using the laser marking technology. Also the cautioned against imitating jewels with similar pens, noting that it is a cheating technique, which joints loses its value.

The Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Dr. Ali Moselhy, said that the Ministry is currently studying the development of the oils, mills and sugar sectors, indicating that they are large entities. He added that there is a consortium to restructure these companies.

The minister pointed out that with ration cards, monthly supplies of 120 thousand tons of sugar, 70 thousand tons of oils are provided, and between 25 and 30 thousand tons of pasta, in addition to between 40 and 45 thousand tons of rice. He mentioned that there are 20 items of goods provided by ration cards, noting that these goods must be provided and distributed to 33 thousand distribution outlets. He stressed that the planned supply support is not compromised, and that there is no intention or thinking to increase any burdens on the citizen, pointing to the government’s desire to reduce the burden on the neediest. He also confirmed that the limit of supply support on the ration card for only four individuals (husband, wife and two children), will be applied to the new cards only, and no prejudice to the old cards «although the beneficiaries reached 10 individuals», pointing out that the ministry is looking ways to motivate only one child in the cards Future.