Minister of Finance, Ahmed Kouchouk, announced that Egypt’s draft budget for FY2025/2026 includes exceptional allocations aimed at boosting production, exports, tourism, and overall economic growth.

Kouchouk revealed that the new budget earmarks EGP 78.1 billion for initiatives and programs focused on priority sectors such as productive industries and export activities.

The allocations include EGP 8.3 billion to bolster the tourism industry, EGP 5 billion directed toward high-priority industrial sectors, and EGP 3 billion to support the transition of vehicles to natural gas.

Additionally, between EGP 3 and 5 billion has been set aside as cash incentives for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMEs), along with EGP 1 billion dedicated to a youth-oriented program offering natural gas-powered taxis and pickup trucks.

Kouchouk emphasized that public spending under the new budget is designed to complement Egypt's broader efforts to enhance economic competitiveness by encouraging investment, localizing industry, and expanding domestic production.

 These measures are intended to empower the private sector, recognizing it as a key engine of growth and development. He also noted that Egypt’s large and diverse economy benefits from strong competitive advantages.

Earlier, the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, approved the draft budget and referred it to the House of Representatives.

The budget includes projected revenues of approximately EGP 3.1 trillion (a 19% annual increase) and expenditures of around EGP 4.6 trillion (an 18% increase).

 It targets a primary surplus equivalent to 4% of GDP and aims to reduce public debt levels across the government’s fiscal apparatus.