Egypts Parliament Approves Cabinet Reshuffle with Economic Focus

Egypt’s House of Representatives Approves Cabinet Reshuffle

A cabinet reshuffle has been approved by Egypt’s House of Representatives, with 13 new ministers set to join the government. The changes, announced on Tuesday, include appointments to key economic posts such as planning, investment, and foreign trade.

The reshuffle also creates a new position of deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs. Notably, Ahmed Rostom, a senior economist at the World Bank, has been appointed minister of planning, while Mohamed Farid Saleh, chairperson of the Financial Regulatory Authority, will head the Ministry of Investment.

Additionally, the State Ministry of Information has been restored after being dissolved in 2021, with Diaa Rashwan, chairman of the State Information Service, taking on the role. Two women have also been appointed to key positions: Randa al-Menshawi now heads the Housing Ministry, and Gihane Zaki will serve as minister of culture.

The changes come as Egypt continues to grapple with a struggling economy, which has faced challenges such as austerity measures following an International Monetary Fund programme in 2016, the coronavirus pandemic, and recent conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The Houthi attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea have also impacted Suez Canal revenues.

The new government is expected to be sworn in on Wednesday, according to local media reports.

Source: Al Jazeera