Egypt's Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk on Tuesday unveiled the draft 2025/26 state budget, outlining a record 78 billion Egyptian pounds ($1.53 billion) in targeted support for industrial and export sectors. The move is part of the government's broader support to stimulate private sector growth and economic stability. Presenting the financial statement to parliament, Minister Kouchouk described the allocation as "the highest level of support", adding that the fiscal plan includes a wide range of unprecedented incentives designed to unlock investment and boost competitiveness. "This is a budget of growth, stability, and partnership with the business community," the minister told lawmakers. "We are supporting the private sector through more targeted, pro-growth policies, initiatives, and programmes." Key allocations in the draft budget include: * 44.5 billion pounds to boost exports — a 93 per cent year-on-year increase — alongside a new modern incentive program to support exporters. * 29.6 billion pounds to strengthen industrial output, up 69 per cent from the current fiscal year, to deepen local manufacturing and technology transfer. * 8.4 billion pounds to expand hotel capacity and support tourism investment amid efforts to increase visitor inflows. * 5 billion pounds to bolster high-priority industries by expanding production capacity in machinery and equipment. * 5 billion pounds in cash incentives for a wide range of initiatives targeting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). * 3 billion pounds to support Egypt's automotive sector, including manufacturing components and supply chains. * 3 billion pounds for energy transition programmes aimed at promoting efficient, lower-cost alternatives across the economy. Minister Kouchouk said the new budget framework reflects the government's intention to reposition the private sector as the main engine of sustainable growth, backed by financial stability and structural reforms. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
