Egypt will begin a pilot programme to shift from in-kind subsidies to cash transfers, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said on Tuesday, adding that a comprehensive database is being developed to support the transition. Speaking at a roundtable with editors-in-chief in the New Administrative Capital, Madbouly said the government had chosen one governorate to launch the trial phase. The move is part of wider subsidy reforms aimed at improving efficiency and targeting. Madbouly also announced that the state will raise the procurement price of wheat by 150 Egyptian pounds per ardab next year, even as global prices decline, to encourage local production and support farmers. He added that the government continues to back cultivation of strategic crops, offering both reference and incentive prices for farmers across various crops. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
