Former Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ziad Bahaa El-Din emphasized that Egypt is approaching a pivotal moment in its economic trajectory, noting that the description of the current phase as a ‘crossroads’ is both accurate and justified. n nIn an interview with journalist Sherif Amer on the program “Happens in Egypt,” broadcast on MBC Egypt on Wednesday evening, he pointed out that Egypt’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to conclude between September and November of this year. n nHe explained that the program established a defined framework for economic management and delivered several significant positive outcomes at the macroeconomic level, including improvements in key indicators. Among these achievements, he highlighted the rise in remittances from Egyptians working abroad, which he attributed to the reform measures implemented in coordination with the IMF. n nBahaa El-Din raised a crucial question about the country’s next steps: whether the government will treat the IMF program as a temporary period of oversight and then pursue independent policies, or if it will continue preparing for future challenges through inclusive public discussion and evaluation of alternative strategies. n nHe stressed that the Egyptian state, along with society and citizens, has borne a heavy cost in implementing the economic reform agenda. The most visible aspect of this burden has been the prolonged period of high inflation over three consecutive years, which significantly impacted living standards. n n”The most important thing,” he said, “is that we don’t pay a steep price without reaping the benefits.” Having endured hardship and sacrifice from citizens throughout this difficult and often harsh reform process, it is essential that the gains achieved are built upon in ways that directly benefit the population and improve their quality of life. n— news from shorouknews
