Egypt's ministry of finance has made investing in human capital and improving staff conditions its top strategic priority, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said on Sunday. The move is part of the government's efforts to modernise fiscal management and strengthen economic performance. Speaking during an open dialogue with senior officials at the ministry's Strategic Planning Forum, Kouchouk said the ministry is committed to enhancing communication, exchanging ideas, and promoting teamwork to deliver more effective and citizen-focused policies. "We work for the people, and our goal is to make their lives better," Kouchouk said. The minister outlined four core priorities guiding Egypt's fiscal policy — boosting economic growth, supporting the business community, improving living standards, and maintaining financial stability. He said the ministry aims to move beyond traditional fiscal discipline to policies that stimulate economic activity and create tangible social impact. Kouchouk added that the ministry will continue working to reduce public debt and improve debt indicators, creating fiscal space for higher investment in human development and social protection. Over the next few years, priority spending will target health and education, with initiatives designed to deliver "visible benefits for citizens." He also underscored the government's focus on building trust and partnership with the private sector and the public, through continued reforms that ease procedures and improve service quality. Deputy Finance Minister for Fiscal Policies Yasser Sobhy said that clear and accurate prioritisation is key to the success of any financial or economic policy, noting that Egypt's approach seeks to balance economic and social objectives. Deputy Minister for Tax Policies Sherif El-Kilany said ongoing tax and customs reforms reflect a deeper and more advanced strategic vision, adding that recent tax relief measures have produced positive results, while the customs system continues to improve. Permanent Undersecretary Ahmed Abdel Razek said the ministry is updating its strategic plan to align more closely with national fiscal goals, while Dalia Fouad, head of monitoring and evaluation, noted that staff training in strategic planning remains a central focus. Mohamed Omar, CEO of consulting firm Cortex, said his company is working with the ministry to translate its strategic plan into actionable programmes with measurable targets, reinforcing the ministry's drive for performance-based implementation. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
