Sisi directs gov't to provide basic commodities, preserve security

CAIRO - 11 March 2019: Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi held a meeting with the state officials, where he issued his directives to continue efforts to provide basic commodities, meet the needs of citizens at appropriate prices, control the markets and eliminate monopoly.

The meeting was attended by ministers of defense, foreign affairs, water resources and irrigation, supply and internal trading, and agriculture. Also, the governor of the central bank, chief of the General Intelligence Directorate, and the head of the Administrative Control Authority (ACA) were in attendance.

The president urged speeding up efforts to refine the lists of ration cards to ensure providing subsidy to those who deserve it and to maintain the state's resources. Moreover, the meeting reviewed the strategic stock of basic commodities and the government's efforts to provide essential goods to citizens.

Additionally, the meeting followed up the implementation of the president's directives to establish new agricultural communities to increase crop production.



During the meeting, Sisi directed the implementation of horizontal integration policy nationwide in terms of agriculture and land reclamation. He also underscored the importance of coordination between the ministries of irrigation and agriculture to resolve the problems of farmers and improve the level of agricultural services.

The meeting reviewed the latest developments in the security situation. In this regard, the president directed the security services to continue their efforts to maintain security and safety for citizens in terms of combating terrorism, extremism, and crime.

The meeting tackled the progress made at the implementation of major national projects in various sectors nationwide, including infrastructure projects. Sisi stressed the importance of working according to the schedules set for the completion of these projects and in line with the highest international standards.

The meeting also addressed the country's economic performance indicators, the exchange rate, and the measures taken to increase the foreign exchange reserves within the framework of implementing the economic reform program.

President Sisi urged the government to work to reduce the budget deficit, create a an appropriate business climate and attract more foreign investment in order to raise growth rates and reduce unemployment and public debt.

Furthermore, the meeting reviewed a number of issues related to Egypt's foreign relations, as well as developments in the political situation at the international and regional levels.