- Government Coordination to Maximize Resource Utilization, Strengthen Food Security, and Support the Investment Climate
In line with the directives of the political leadership to enhance coordination and integration among relevant ministries, a trilateral meeting was held today at the headquarters of the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade in the New Administrative Capital. The meeting brought together Dr. Sherif Farouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade; Mr. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation; and Dr. Mohamed Farid, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade. The meeting aimed to discuss mechanisms for joint action during the coming phase in order to contribute to market stability and support economic development efforts.
The Minister of Supply and Internal Trade emphasized the importance of integrating the roles of the concerned entities, particularly in files related to food security, the development of supply chains, and increasing agricultural production while linking it to the needs of the domestic market. This approach would ensure the sustainable availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices for citizens.
The meeting also addressed ways to support the investment climate in sectors related to internal trade and agriculture, particularly in the fields of storage, food processing, and supply chains, in a manner that enhances the efficiency of the system and maximizes the value added to the national economy.
In the same context, the meeting discussed mechanisms for regulating the trading and circulation of strategic commodities and agricultural crops, whether in relation to import or export operations, in order to achieve market balance and ensure the stability of supplies. The discussions also highlighted the importance of supporting the competitiveness of Egyptian products in foreign markets. Participants further emphasized the importance of regulating the operations of the Egyptian Mercantile Exchange (EMX) and strengthening its role as an effective tool for market regulation and pricing transparency, thereby protecting both producers and consumers and enhancing the efficiency of the trading system.
The Minister of Agriculture noted that the state continues its efforts to expand agricultural productivity and improve crop quality in order to support the achievement of self-sufficiency in strategic commodities. He stressed the importance of coordination with the Ministry of Supply to ensure the efficient marketing of crops, reduce losses, and secure a fair return for farmers.
For his part, the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade stated that coordination and studies are underway to introduce additional investment opportunities in the agriculture and internal trade sectors, along with examining the necessary facilitation measures to attract investments and strengthen supply chain stability.
The ministers highlighted the importance of working within a unified vision aimed at maximizing the utilization of available resources, improving the quality of services provided to citizens, enhancing market efficiency, and achieving balance between production and consumption.
The meeting was attended by a number of senior officials from the concerned ministries. Representing the Ministry of Investment were Dr. Amani Al-Wasal, Head of the Trade Agreements Sector, and Mr. Hossam Karam, Director General at the Trade Agreements Sector. Representing the Ministry of Supply were Mr. Mostafa Ismail, Deputy Chairman of the General Authority for Supply Commodities; Mr. Ahmed Kamal, Assistant Minister and Official Spokesperson; and Ms. Sara Al-Azzazi, Head of the Central Department for the Minister’s Office Affairs.
The participants agreed to continue joint coordination and to hold periodic meetings to follow up on the implementation of the agreed measures, in order to achieve the state’s strategic objectives in the fields of food security and sustainable economic development.
