Sisi on economic circumstances: The state’s policies are meant to do the best, not harm anyone

CAIRO - 16 September 2023: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi addressed the public in a speech he gave Saturday from Beni Suef, where he discussed the difficult economic circumstances currently witnessed and the efforts exerted by the government to alleviate its impact. 

"There is no doubt that the circumstances are difficult, but keep in mind that we spent 4 years in very difficult circumstances, two years of which the whole world was affected by the Corona Pandemic, and the supply chains were greatly affected and global economy was halted, but we did not stop because we had a big dream that we were working on, and we were hoping that things would get better, but another big crisis came and had a huge impact, which we tried to [cope up with] despite our difficult economic circumstances," President Sisi said. 

He further added, "I am telling you to think well... when we made the economic reform plan, we said that if we succeeded, we would reach better horizons, the growth rate was advanced, reaching 5.8,  and we are hoping for more than that.”

President Sisi added during the opening of a number of projects in Beni Suef Governorate: “A crisis is still ongoing until now, which is the ‘Ukraine war’... We import large quantities of wheat, corn, and cooking oil.” Their high prices had a great impact. We, as a country, tried to ensure that the prices are not reflected strongly on people.”

The president continued: “I am talking about 10 million tons of wheat, if one ton increases by $100. We are talking in large numbers in order to provide bread... I say this to say that I am one of you and I feel for you.”

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said that the state seeks to increase agricultural land, continuing: “We are talking about 3-4 million acres of agricultural land [to be added] in the next two years,” adding that this will provide new job opportunities for youths. 

“In Egypt, the population is 110 million, and we have 10 million guests [from different countries], and thanks to God we can accommodate them,” Sisi added. 

President Sisi further explained “We are not doing anything bad to Egypt in all the decisions and policies [issued]. We are not harming anyone, and we are trying to do good,” as he added, “I hope you accept my explanation of the circumstances, and I thank you for your patience and endurance.”   

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said that, in parallel with the efforts exerted to achieve economic development, there is a will to achieve more on the political level. “This is due to my belief that the vitality of Egyptian society with all its components is a positive addition to the state, and an indication of its wealth and its ability to innovate and create.”

He said, “I launched my call for national dialogue... a call that brought together the Egyptian fabric, from all its elements, and the first package of the outcomes of this dialogue was encouraging to continue.”

President Sisi added “Therefore, my response was immediate, to what was agreed upon by the political and societal forces, participating in the dialogue, and I issued my instructions to the government to study it, develop mechanisms for its implementation... and begin activating these mechanisms.”

The state’s efforts also doubled, to strengthen the state of stability and internal security in light of the growing regional threats, resulting from the escalation of conflicts in neighboring countries, with their repercussions on Egyptian national security, he explained, saying “I can be honest with you that the state and its concerned agencies are making unremitting efforts to deal with these threats, at a high cost, so that the internal situation remains stable.”