Egypt launches new initiative to control goods prices during Ramadan
In light of the difficult economic situation in Egypt, the Ministry of Supply announced May 20 the implementation of the initiative known as “Ahlan Ramadan,” offering goods at low prices.
Egypt’s economy has been seriously weakened as a result of the successive political events triggered on Jan. 25, 2011, and on June 30, 2013, when revolutions sparked terrorist attacks, domestic economic crises and the exhaustion of sources of income — especially tourism.
This weakness was also felt by Egyptian citizens, who were forced to struggle to survive.
The state apparatus imposed taxes and cut subsidies on some goods, such as the cut of fuel subsidies imposed in 2014. Some — such as businessmen, economic experts and people running websites affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood — fear that this dire economic situation may push citizens to have reactions with serious consequences such as uprisings or revolutions sparked by hunger.
Within the scope of its endeavors to help citizens, the Ministry of Supply announced May 20 the implementation of the initiative known as Ahlan Ramadan (Welcome, Ramadan), to be launched with the beginning of the month of Ramadan (which started June 6) and offering basic commodities at discounted prices. Indeed, 90 Ahlan Ramadan temporary storefronts were opened across Egypt’s governorates between May 25 and June 13.
