State-sponsored charity initiative to be replicated after sales worth LE1.5M

CAIRO – 16 May 2020: The Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade will replicate a charity initiative that took place on April 23-May 11 whereas citizens bought coupons worth LE1.5 million and distributed them among low-income counterparts who would use them to purchase state-subsidized staples.

The coupons are available at 100 out of 1,300 outlets affiliated to the Ministry of Supply across the country.

Head of Internal Trade Development Agency Ibrahim Ashmawy stated on May 3 that negotiations are underway with an international company to build a mega warehouse in each of seven governorates.

The official explained that the goal is extending the duration of staple stocking from 3 months to 8-9 months. The beginning will be with Giza and Qalyoubiyah, while Beni Suef, Qena, Gharbeya, Ismailiyah, and Beheira will follow.

The warehouse in Giza will be built in 6th of October City over 50 feddans, and the other in Qalyoubiyah will span over the same surface area.

The agency's head revealed that the company eyed for the project ranks sixth in the world in logistics management and that it has operations in 112 countries but did not disclose its name.

Ashmawy stated that the governorates' municipalities are allocating lands for the intended warehouses as their construction and operation in partnership with the government will be offered for private investors.