CAIRO, March 26 (MENA) - The cabinet approved on Wednesday the draft budget of the 2025-2026 FY and decided to refer it to the House of Representatives.

During the cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk reviewed the most important aspects of the draft budget.

Revenues are estimated at about EGP 3.1 trillion at a 19 percent growth with expenses standing at EGP 4.6 trillion at a 18 percent rise.

The draft budget is meant to realize primary surplus of EGP 795 billion, representing 4 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Under the draft budget, EGP 679.1 billion was allocated for civil servants' wages at 18.1 percent rise, while EGP 22 billion was allocated for medicine, EGP 15.1 billion for treatment at state expense for low-income brackets.

Kouchouck added that EGP 732.6 billion was earmarked for social grants and privileges at a 15.2 percent uptick to alleviate the suffering of people, especially needy strata.

He added that EGP 160 billion was channeled into subsidized commodities, noting that there will be 35 percent rise in social solidarity pension of Takaful and Karama at EGP 54 billion.

EGP 75 billion was allocated for subsidized petroleum materials as well as EGP 75 billion in extra support for electricity, he said.

He added that allocations for pension funds rose to EGP 227.1 billion, while allocations for productive, export, tourist activities tripped compared to previous to stand at EGP 78.1 billion. (MENA)
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