Sisi Promises More Tax Exemptions, Subsidy for Citizens

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi pledged to raise the tax exemption limit and double subsidies provided for citizens.

During a meeting with editors-in-chief of state-run newspapers, Sisi promised that more measures will be taken within weeks to help low- and middle-income people.

He added that he will unveil a report in January or February on his achievements since he assumed office in 2014.

The citizen may be angry about the price hikes, but he should know that the burden is so heavy and requires more efforts and sacrifices, he noted.

An expanded conference will be held at the end of this month to speak about efforts exerted by the state to end encroachments of state-owned lands, Sisi said.

He stressed that the emergency law will be strictly enforced in the face of those who seek to illegally seize state-owned lands

. Meanwhile President Abdel Fattah Sisi warned illegal seizure of state lands is a threat against the security of homeland.

Speaking to chief editors of the state-run newspapers, the president said the state is responsible for regulating acquisition of land as a property of the Egyptian people under the constitution.

Governors and security chiefs should have knowledge about every place where encroachments happen, he said, adding army commanders are also responsible for protecting their regions to maintain national security

. The president noted that there are encroachments on agricultural, tourism and state-owned territories.

Only lands acquired by the army saved from these violations, he added.

Speaking to the editors, he wondered why such spike of encroachments was left unpunished, while people suffer tough conditions.

The president described government’s measures adopted to restore looted lands as “war” that should be won to put things to rights.

He asked media to join the war which is meant to restore people’s right. Also, he called on youths to join committees in concern to get to know the volume of the problem.

President Sisi also called on the state to gear up for protecting the right of the people.

The president hailed Prime Minister Sherif Ismail as a person capable of managing the government efficiently despite the difficulty of executive work

. Sisi said he is following up the performance of ministers on a daily basis

. If the armed forces were not an integral part of confronting the challenges and the construction process, perhaps we would not be able to confront them, the president said.

He said $3.6 billion will be provided annually with the start of production in the West and East Delta fields, and in the second phase of the Zohr gas field.

Sisi said there are some shortcomings, adding that the Egyptian citizens are aware of the historic challenges that need more time, efforts, and sacrifices to be confronted.

The president said that EGP 100 billion have been spent over the past three years on the infrastructure projects nationwide.