The Egyptian government is facing the cumulative financial challenges of the last 50 fiscal years, but it was determined to solve all the previous issues, said Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly.
The PM briefed the parliament Monday on the government's two-year "Egypt Kicks Off" program. He said that the last year was exceptionally difficult for all humanity, however, the cabinet and parliament worked together to spare the country the severe negative impacts of the coronavirus pandemic
On Sunday, Speaker Hanafi Gibali announced that the house decided to summon Madbouly and the cabinet to deliver statements and answer questions on the implementation of "Egypt Kicks Off".
Gibali noted that the government won the parliament’s vote of confidence after submitting the program, however, the general committee noted that the implementation fell short of expectations and is full of shortcomings and negative points.
Madbouly affirmed during the session that the government wants to enhance the readiness of the Egyptian armed forces to secure and protect national security.
He indicated that the Ministry of Interior continues to fight terrorism and eliminate takfirists.
He explained that preparations are still underway to move public institutions to the new administrative capital, in light of an integrated plan to develop the state’s apparatuses.
The move to the new capital aims to achieve higher performance efficiency in all areas, including the development and automation of government services provided to citizens.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Egypt will continue with its diplomatic efforts in defending national interests and constants.
He indicated that the state took several measures regarding the Libyan and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crises.
He affirmed that Egypt's foreign policy aims at maintaining balance and supporting the security of Arab Gulf countries while protecting the country's national security.
Egypt also wants to ensure the national security of the regional and African region, according to Madbouly.
On the government’s program to develop the slums, the PM said the target includes constructing 80,000 housing units and the development of 1,100 slums markets.
He reported that, so far, 159 'unsafe' areas have been developed, through the construction of 85,500 housing units, benefiting about 342,000 citizens.
Madbouly affirmed the importance the government attaches to providing a decent life to each citizen, noting that the state’s policies over the past period lowered the poverty rate for the first time in 20 years to 29.7 percent, down from 32.5 percent in 2017-2018.
The government also succeeded in fully implementing the economic reform program, recording a drop in the deficit from 9.7 percent to 7.9 percent of the GDP.