Egypt allocates LE327.7B to social protection program in 2019/20

CAIRO - 1 August 2019: Egypt increased the allocations of social protection programs during fiscal year 2019/2020 to LE 327.7 billion, up from LE 198.6 billion during fiscal year of 2014/2015, according to a report issued by the Ministry of Planning.

The report revealed that the Egyptian government directed more than LE 1.3 trillion to social protection programs in 5 years.

It also noted that the richest 40 percent of Egypt’s population benefited from 60 percent of fuel subsidies, while the poorest 40 percentgot 25 percent only.

The ministry also clarified that around LE 103 billion wereallocated for Decent Life initiative that was launched by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi in March.

It noted that 75 percent of the initiative's investmentswill go to Upper Egyptian governorates, with Assiut receiving the lion's share, which amounts to LE 815.27 million.

Prime Minister MostafaMadboulistatedearlier thathis government will continue to support social protection programs and the subsidy system, while establishing an accurate and sound database to determine the real beneficiaries.