Latest news with #InformationandDecisionSupportCenter
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt Nears Sugar Self-Sufficiency with Major Boost in Domestic Production
Ahmed Emam Egypt is making significant strides toward achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production, thanks to government-led efforts to expand the cultivation of sugar crops and support associated industries. The Egyptian Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) published a series of infographics detailing the progress on its official social media platforms. The campaign highlights a broader national strategy aimed at maximizing agricultural output and optimizing the use of available resources to boost food security and stabilize domestic markets. According to the data, sugar beet cultivation has increased by 25%, with cultivated land expanding from 600,000 feddans in the 2023/2024 season to 750,000 feddans in 2024/2025. This is expected to yield 2.5 million tons of sugar, up from 1.5 million tons the previous year. For the first time in Egypt's history, sugar production is projected to reach 2.6 million tons in 2025, compared to 2.3 million tons in 2014. The outlook is even more optimistic for 2026, with forecasts predicting a rise to 2.9 million tons. The government's efforts have already shown results in reducing imports. Egypt's raw sugar imports dropped by 54.5% in the first quarter of 2025, falling to \$111.1 million from \$244.4 million during the same period in 2024. The data also revealed that Egypt achieved 81% self-sufficiency in sugar as of March 2025. Authorities anticipate that sugar imports will no longer be necessary by early 2026. Current government-held stocks of subsidized sugar are sufficient to meet national demand for 13 months. In terms of infrastructure, Egypt now boasts eight major sugar beet processing factories. Among them is Canal Sugar, the world's largest single-line beet sugar factory, which currently has a production capacity of 350,000 tons and plans to increase this to 750,000 tons by 2026. Other key facilities include the El Sharqiya plant in New Salhiya City with a capacity of 240,000 tons, and the upgraded Delta Sugar factory, whose capacity has risen from 14,000 to 21,000 tons of beet per day. The government is also investing in enhancing the productivity of sugarcane. This includes the establishment of seedling production stations like Wadi El-Saaida, which will supply 160 million seedlings per season, and the Kom Ombo station, with a capacity of 30 million seedlings per season. To further incentivize sugar crop cultivation, the government allocated EGP 16 billion for sugarcane purchases in 2025, and EGP 7 billion to cover industrial operations. Reference prices have been set at EGP 2,500 per ton for sugarcane and EGP 2,400 per ton for sugar beet at a sweetness level of 16%. Additional incentives include an early harvest bonus starting at EGP 200 per ton for beet farmers. Sugarcane farmers whose yield exceeds 30 tons per feddan will receive a bonus of EGP 50 per ton, while those exceeding 40 tons per feddan will receive EGP 100 per ton. These initiatives represent a cornerstone of Egypt's strategic plan to secure essential food commodities, reduce import dependency, and reinforce agricultural sustainability. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Egypt Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- Egypt Today
World Refugee Day: UN hails Egypt's refugee hosting experience as example to follow
During a meeting with the Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) on Friday, Hamdan hailed Egypt's efforts, at the institutional and grassroots levels, in support of refugees, describing Egypt's experience in this regard as an example to follow. There are no official camps for refugees, who are integrated into the Egyptian society, which continues to welcome them with open arms, Hamdan pointed out. She noted that the UNHCR is working closely with various ministries, as well as educational and health institutions in Egypt, to provide joint support, which reflects positively on both refugees and the host community. Hamdan said that the UNHCR's visit to Egypt, set for June 24, comes at a crucial time to launch a response plan that deals with the fallout from the Sudanese and Syrian crises while meeting the needs of other refugees in Egypt and supporting host communities in Egypt. She highlighted the burdens Egypt bears to provide decent humanitarian support to these refugees. Asserting the UNHCR's keenness to highlight the suffering of refugees and asylum seekers around the world on World Refugee Day, observed on June 20, Hamdan said global funding is still not enough to provide for refugees' needs, given the mounting humanitarian crises and their complexity.
Middle East
04-06-2025
- Business
- Middle East
IDSC sheds lights on 8 most frequently asked questions about 'halal' certification for dairy, meat imports
CAIRO, June 4 (MENA) - The Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) shed light Wednesday on most eight frequently asked questions about the government's decisions related to the "halal" certification through an infographic published on its official social media platforms. The infographic addressed the Cabinet's decision to cancel "halal" certification requirements for dairy imports, a move that generated a lot of discussions about the nature of the certification and its impact on Egypt's dairy imports, as well as its implications on imported meat and poultry. The infographic brought about the eight most frequently asked questions about "halal" certification for imported dairy and meat products. It said a "halal" certification is a process carried out by a credible and accredited conformity assessment body certifying that a company's products or services meet "halal" standards and requirements. The certificate's importance lies in assuring Muslims that the products they consume comply with Islamic Sharia law, thereby enhancing consumer trust and preventing confusion as to products' religious permissibility. The infographic said halal certifications are granted only to companies that meet required standards, and these companies are permitted to put on the "halal" label on their products. The certification applies to sectors related to food industries, cosmetics, and personal care products. Egypt's decision to cancel "halal" certification for dairy products stems from the concrete fact that milk comes from live animals. Hence, the idea of mixing halal dairy with non-halal dairy is considered illogical. International monitoring has shown that halal certifications are not required for dairy in Muslim countries and are mainly applied to meat and poultry. Egypt imports various dairy products, including powdered milk and cheese, all from well-known sources, the infographic further noted. These products undergo inspections to ensure they meet standard specifications and verify the type of milk giving animals that produce milk for human consumption. Regarding meat, the infographic clarified that Egypt imports around 50% of its meat needs from world countries. No meat shipment enters the country without being thoroughly reviewed by a specialized committee to ensure that the slaughtering process complies with Islamic (halal) methods of slaughter and that the shipment is fully prepared to enter the Egyptian market in accordance with Islamic Law (Sharia). (MENA) R R N/S A S
Egypt Today
04-06-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
IDSC: International tourism recorded 5% growth in the 1st quarter of 2025
Tourism - file CAIRO - 4 June 2025: The Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) of the Cabinet highlighted a World Tourism Organization report indicating continued recovery in international tourism during the first quarter of 2025, recording a 5 percent growth compared to the previous year, along with increased visitor spending and tourism revenues. This reflects the sector's resilience despite geopolitical and economic challenges and rising travel and tourism service prices. The report indicated that more than 300 million international tourists traveled in the first three months of this year; an increase of 14 million compared to the same period in 2024. This performance also exceeds 2019 figures by 3 percent. The report emphasized that tourism is emerging as a major service sector in every region of the world, providing millions of jobs and supporting a large number of commercial activities. It noted that the continued rise in the number of international arrivals, along with increased tourism spending, demonstrates the sector's strength despite crises. The report added that Europe welcomed 125 million international tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2025, a 2% increase compared to the previous year and a 5% increase over pre-pandemic levels. The Southern Mediterranean region saw similar growth of 2%, while Central and Eastern Europe recorded an 8% increase, although numbers remained below 2019 levels. The report indicated that Africa recorded strong growth of 9% compared to the previous year, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 16%. In the Americas, numbers rose by 2%, with some South American destinations achieving a remarkable 13% growth thanks to the Southern Hemisphere summer season. The Middle East recorded a slight increase of 1%, but arrivals remained 44% higher than pre-pandemic levels. In a related context, the Asia-Pacific region recorded the highest growth rate in the first quarter of 2025, at 12%, approaching 92% of pre-pandemic levels. Northeast Asia's performance stood out, with a 23% growth compared to 2024, reaching 91% of 2019 figures. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), international air travel demand increased by 8%, while air capacity increased by 7%. The report indicated that international tourism receipts data in the first quarter of 2025 showed strong growth in visitor spending in several destinations. Spain recorded a 9% increase, while Turkey achieved a 7% increase. Greece, Italy, and Portugal recorded a 4% growth. France also achieved a 6% growth, Norway achieved a 20% growth, and Denmark grew by 11%. In Asia and the Pacific, Japan saw a 34% increase in revenues, Nepal achieved 18% growth, while South Korea and Mongolia each recorded 14% growth. In the United States, the world's largest tourism revenue market, growth in the first quarter of 2025 was approximately 3%, following 14% in 2024. The report stated that 2024 data was revised to confirm that international tourism receipts, including revenues and air transport, reached $2.0 trillion, an 11% increase over 2023 and 15% above pre-pandemic levels. These receipts represent 6% of total global exports of goods and services and 23% of global trade in services. The report concluded that despite the strong performance, the global tourism sector faces ongoing challenges. Recent surveys of tourism experts indicated that slowing economic growth, rising travel costs, and increased customs duties are the most prominent risks. Declining consumer confidence and geopolitical tensions also emerged as influential factors that could cast a shadow over tourism performance in 2025.
Egypt Today
02-06-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt increases health budget to LE 496 Billion in 2024/2025
CAIRO – 2 June 2025: The Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) under the Egyptian Cabinet has revealed that Egypt has firmly established a robust pharmaceutical manufacturing base in recent years, significantly boosting both technical capabilities and production output. As a result, the country has achieved an impressive 91 percent self-sufficiency in medicine. Today, Egypt is home to more than 179 pharmaceutical factories, including 11 internationally accredited facilities, along with 150 factories for medical supplies, 5 for raw material production, and 4 specialized in biological products. Altogether, the nation operates over 986 pharmaceutical production lines, marking a major leap in local healthcare manufacturing. In a parallel effort to reinforce the healthcare system, the Egyptian government has increased the national health budget by 24.9 percent for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, raising the allocation to approximately LE 496 billion, up from LE 397 billion in 2023/2024. This increase meets the constitutional obligation for healthcare funding in the new state budget. Moreover, the government affirmed its continued commitment to the state-funded medical treatment program, with no interruptions planned. The budget allocated to this program has been raised by 16.1 percent, reaching LE 10.1 billion in 2024/2025, compared to LE 8.7 billion in the previous fiscal year. These developments reflect Egypt's strategic focus on health sovereignty and public wellbeing.
