President El-Sisi's Speech at the Opening of Several New Projects in Minya

“In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Our dear people of Minya governorate,

The great people of Egypt,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 Today, I begin my speech to you by saluting the people of Upper Egypt in particular and all Egyptians in general. The Egyptian people show, every day, their greatness and authenticity that has always been known throughout the history of our great Egyptian nation which has created civilization and written history and tirelessly strives in the present to forge the future.

It is such a good day to be among you in Upper Egypt. I was absolutely happy and proud when I saw how Egyptian hands made achievements and how their sincere efforts helped draw a new map of the homeland. I have hope in the Egyptian youth who create and cultivate hope as well as build glory without limits. I am also confident in their ultimate abilities. The achievements that are made with the determination of the Egyptian people are a clear indication and a sure sign of the vitality and capability of our nation. I assure you, unequivocally, that we are going ahead with the process of construction and development that we have started together, which coincided with our national will to restore and preserve the homeland and get it back from those who wanted to rob it of its identity.

The great people of Egypt,

Ladies and gentlemen,

A year has passed since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukraine war, which is an important event in our present time. It represents an economic conflict between the East and West. The effects of this war have been strongly reflected on international economy. The war has also doubled the negative effects on the global economic indicators which have not yet recovered from similar effects caused by the COVID-19 virus.

Egypt, like all nations of the world, has been adversely affected by those impacts which have caused a record rise in energy and food prices globally and significantly affected global supply chains. However, the economic reforms implemented by the state since 2016 and the achievements made to maximize the country’s assets and develop infrastructure have significantly contributed to containing the effects of this global crisis in Egypt. Social protection measures have also contributed to the provision of safe cover to the most affected groups. Thanks to Allah and with scientific-based plans, we faced, and still facing, this crisis confidently, with specific goals. The country has developed its economic plan which devotes attention to localizing industry, reducing the import gap, expanding food self-sufficiency, and shifting toward attracting foreign investment.

I can tell you honestly that we have overcome together, over a decade, crises and challenges. We have overcome every challenge together with relentless determination and a will to succeed. Our will has not been hindered by challenges, hampered by disinformation campaigns, or quelled by terrorism. I assure you that every cloud has a silver lining and there are gains after every crisis.

I would also like to clearly tell you that the Egyptian citizens are what I focus on and their quality of life is the defining goal that we do not deviate from. I feel how pressured they are at the present time; nevertheless, I am also confident in their abilities in overcoming challenges. I am following closely the concerns of the Egyptian public opinion and I listen to all the voices coming from here and there. In response to these voices, I direct the government to immediately implement the following measures:

First:

Expedite the preparation of a package aiming to improve the income of workers in the state’s administrative apparatus and the private sector cadres, as of April 1, 2023. Accordingly, employees’ income shall increase by a minimum of 1000 Egyptian pounds per month.

Second:

Increase the minimum wage for state workers as follows:

For the sixth level and its equivalent, the minimum wage will be 3,500 Egyptian pounds per month.

For the qualitative third level and its equivalent, the minimum wage will be 5,000 Egyptian pounds per month.

For master's degree holders who work in the country, the minimum wage will be 6,000 Egyptian pounds per month.

For PhD holders who work in the country, the minimum wage will be 7,000 Egyptian pounds per month.

Third:

Increase the pensions disbursed to their owners and their beneficiaries by 15%, as of April 1, 2023.

Fourth:

Raise the tax exemption limit on annual income from 24,000 Egyptian pounds to 30,000 Egyptian pounds annually, as of April 1, 2023.

Fifth:

Increase the financial categories granted to beneficiaries of Takaful and Karama programs by 25% monthly, as of April 1, 2023.

The great people of Egypt,

Egypt is the greatest homeland that we belong to and belongs to us. It is the ultimate hope and dream. Its people, who have been facing challenges since history was written on its land, are the only ones who are able to preserve its capabilities and make their dream come true. Today, its people show their love to their country and that will be written with pride for their children and grandchildren to read in the future. For Egypt, we will work, chanting with strength and determination: long live Egypt, long live Egypt, long live Egypt."