EGYPT LAUNCHES US$858-MLN SOCIAL AID PACKAGE AHEAD OF RAMADAN

CAIRO, Feb 15 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced Sunday a social protection package worth 40 billion Egyptian pounds (about US$858 million) to support vulnerable groups ahead of Ramadan, Xinhua reported.

He said the expanded state assistance is made possible by improving economic indicators.

The package, mandated by President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, provides direct cash support to 15 million families in two installments before Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr, Madbouly told a press conference.

It also allocates about 9 billion pounds (US$193 million) to healthcare, including funds for state treatment, surgical waiting lists, and health insurance expansion in Minya Province, south of Cairo, starting April 1, as well as 4 billion pounds (US$86 million) to support farmers through wheat price adjustments, he added.

An additional 15 billion pounds (US$322 million) will accelerate the presidential initiative "Decent Life" to complete water, sanitation, and other essential service projects in villages by the end of the current fiscal year on June 30.

Madbouly said improved economic indicators, including declining inflation, lower interest rates, and rising tax revenues, have enabled the aid, stressing that the fruits of economic reform are being channeled directly to alleviate the burden on citizens.

The announcement followed Sisi's Saturday directive for early salary payments to civil servants before the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA