Egypt’s Prime Minister Advances Social Protection System Development

Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Egypt’s Prime Minister, met today at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital with Dr. Sherif Farouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, to discuss updates on enhancing the support system and improving the efficiency of social protection programs.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Madbouly emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to develop the social protection system, ensuring that support reaches those who truly need it more efficiently and effectively. This initiative aligns with the state’s commitment to promoting social justice and improving the quality of services provided to citizens while safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups.

He noted that this development is part of a broader vision to establish a more efficient and sustainable social protection network that optimally utilizes public resources and directs them towards those in greatest need. This approach aims to enhance citizens’ living standards and strengthen social stability. He highlighted the importance of continuously updating databases and leveraging electronic linking systems among various state entities to achieve high accuracy in identifying beneficiaries, thus enhancing transparency and fairness in managing social protection programs.

The meeting also covered various insights and proposals regarding updating support mechanisms to align with economic and social changes, contributing to a more flexible and sustainable system based on updated databases and advanced governance mechanisms that support precise targeting and efficient resource management.

Results from ongoing efforts to refine and update beneficiary databases according to established criteria for social justice were also reviewed. This ensures that support is directed towards those who genuinely deserve it, enhancing the efficiency of the support system in achieving its social and economic objectives.

The importance of utilizing technological advancements and digital transformation was highlighted as a means to enhance the efficiency of the support and social protection system, promoting greater transparency, improving public spending efficiency, and ensuring that assistance reaches eligible groups.

During the meeting, Dr. Sherif Farouk reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing plans for developing the support system in coordination with relevant authorities, aiming to meet state targets for strengthening social protection networks while supporting economic and social development efforts amidst evolving local and global economic conditions.

The minister explained that the ministry’s approach to developing the support system relies on several key pillars, including governance, digital transformation, and integration between governmental databases. This ensures improved targeting efficiency, equitable distribution of assistance, enhanced service quality for citizens, and simplified procedures for accessing these services.

Dr. Farouk also mentioned that mechanisms for appeals and reviews will remain available for citizens who believe they are entitled to receive support. This guarantees citizen rights are upheld while ensuring maximum transparency and fairness in applying eligibility criteria.

In conclusion, there was a consensus on continuing coordination among concerned parties to complete studies and actions related to developing the support system. Regular monitoring of performance indicators will be conducted to assess the impact of policies and measures on targeted groups. This aims at achieving a balance between social justice and economic sustainability in line with directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi regarding ongoing improvements in the social protection system and enhancing citizens’ living standards.