Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met on Tuesday with senior officials to review the state's efforts to strengthen food security and improve the internal trade system. The meeting confirmed the availability of Egypt's strategic stock of key food commodities — including wheat, sugar, oil, meat and poultry — with the food security situation described as stable. Officials noted ongoing contracts to purchase 3.4 million tons of wheat, 192,000 tons of crude oil, 4,000 tons of frozen poultry, and 6,000 tons of frozen meat, alongside efforts to diversify import sources. President Sisi stressed the importance of full coordination among state agencies working on food security to ensure alignment with national policies. He also underlined the need for cooperation with the Future of Egypt Authority to determine the strategic crop areas to be cultivated in the New Delta, aiming to maximise agricultural land and boost self-sufficiency. The president reviewed progress on ensuring the smooth operation of bakeries, mills and markets. He was briefed on the development of "One-Day Markets," with the first phase launched in November 2024 with 200 markets and the second phase beginning in May 2025 with over 200 more. The meeting also addressed efforts to establish partnerships with the private sector and attract foreign investment in retail trade, including new retail chains in Obour, Nasr City and Qalyub. They also discussed preparations to launch a government-backed retail chain under the brand name Carry On, the country's first unified commercial label in partnership with private investors. Sisi also reviewed plans to enhance internal trade and clean up beneficiary databases to ensure subsidies reach those who meet the eligibility criteria. The meeting further discussed the implementation status of Egypt's Mercantile Exchange and the government's efforts to activate it as a market stabilisation tool. The exchange is expected to help maintain food security, ensure the continued availability of essential goods at reasonable prices, balance the interests of producers and consumers, and support the agricultural and industrial sectors. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
