Minister of Planning and Economic Development Ahmed Rostom said the government has excluded the health and education sectors from austerity measures in order to support and ensure the continued delivery of services in both sectors.

His remarks came during today’s plenary session of the Senate, chaired by Counselor Essam El-Din Farid, while discussing the report of the Economic, Financial and Investment Affairs Committee on the Economic and Social Development Plan for FY2026/2027.

Rostom said the government’s austerity measures did not halt allocations under the investment plan, but rather led to the postponement of some energy-intensive projects in order to secure and conserve energy amid geopolitical tensions and regional crises that have contributed to a global energy crisis.

He reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to cooperating with the Senate based on the principles of transparency, openness, and realistic implementation.

 This, he said, aims to further develop the state’s public investment plan, direct resources toward achieving development targets, and raise investment levels to their desired rates.

The minister noted that the government is keen to keep the Senate informed of all implementation updates by submitting semi-annual periodic reports that accurately outline the performance indicators of annual investment plans.

He revealed that the ministry had sent a detailed copy of the latest follow-up report to the Senate Secretariat and the Senate’s Economic Committee last February.

Rostom added that the investment plan currently presented to the Senate is a general plan, explaining that its detailed executive components are fully linked and available through the ministry’s electronic system. 

He stressed that both the government and the Ministry of Planning are fully committed to this system to ensure consistency with the state’s comprehensive development vision.

The minister also emphasized that the current investment plan places the stimulation and attraction of private sector investments at the top of its priorities, describing the private sector as a key partner in development.

He said the plan is based on clear development determinants and pathways, while direct financial and material incentives for private investment remain guaranteed and available through the relevant legislative frameworks and the Investment Law. 

These incentives, recently announced by the Ministry of Investment, are designed to enable the private sector to make the most of available opportunities.

Rostom also announced that the new annual plan includes a clear increase in investment allocations specifically directed toward supporting and developing projects in free zones and investment zones affiliated with the Ministry of Investment.

 He said this would help drive economic growth and create more job opportunities.