Cairo: The Social Protection Package, aimed at alleviating the burdens on the most vulnerable groups, has officially come into effect, according to Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk. During a weekly press conference held by Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Mr. Kouchouk presented updates on the package’s implementation, which aligns with the presidential directives.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the Minister confirmed that the financial allocations for the relevant ministries have been provided, and beneficiaries have started receiving their entitlements. The package targets low-income groups, offering direct cash support to improve their living conditions.
Mr. Kouchouk announced that over one billion pounds in additional support have been allocated to the state-funded healthcare budget to eliminate waiting lists across all governorates. Already, 60,000 uninsured low-income individuals have started receiving treatment at the state’s expense. From the beginning of March until mid-March, 15,000 cases have been treated, covering surgeries for tumors, heart, brain and nerves, bones, ophthalmology, vascular procedures, and organ transplants.
He further indicated that the required financial allocations will continue to be provided according to the health sector’s needs, with an initial total cost of 3 billion pounds. Annually, approximately 2,355,000 cases are treated across all governorates with support from the state budget and health institutions.
In addition, Mr. Kouchouk stated that 2 billion pounds have been allocated to increase support on ration cards for approximately ten million families, with increments of 125 pounds for single-member cards and 250 pounds for multi-member cards during March and April 2025.
The Minister highlighted that 1.5 billion pounds have been designated to provide 300 pounds in “additional support” to 4.7 million families benefiting from the “Takaful and Karama” program during Ramadan. He noted a 25% increase in cash support for beneficiaries of the program, effective from April 2025, with a total cost of about 16 billion pounds until June 2026.
Moreover, the state will cover the price difference of cotton by about 2,000 pounds per qintar, with a total cost of 3.5 billion pounds, while 2.1 billion pounds have been allocated to settle the dues of cotton farmers.
The Minister also clarified that an increase of 200 pounds in the price of local wheat has been approved, raising it to 2,200 pounds, with a total cost of 5.5 billion pounds. The necessary funding has been arranged to purchase all quantities of local wheat, which will be available in installments to the General Authority for Supply Commodities as the wheat supply season begins in mid-April.