Allocations for education and health will be increased by 10-15 percent for the 2015-2016 state budget, according to Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb.
Speaking to Al-Masry Al-Youm on the sidelines of his visit to Indonesia, Mehleb indicated there will be an increase in expenditure in the social, health, education and social housing sectors. He added that setting costs for finalizing the social housing project units contributed to a quicker completion of the units by contracting companies.
Mehleb also noted that smart cards for gasoline and diesel oil will be in use starting July to control the distribution of petroleum products. He stressed that applying the system does not mean the subsidies will be removed or the prices increased. The new system will provide the government with accurate information on quantities consumed daily, thus preventing smuggling.
He revealed the government’s intentions to finalize the development of 255 of the most needy villages this year.
The prime minister also indicated an improvement within the economic situation of Egypt, expecting the growth rate to reach 4.2 percent this year.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
