The step comes as the government is considering replacing these subsidies with cash payments.

In a statement, the board said that it will hold a meeting on Monday to review the pre-discussion session procedures, expressing its commitment to discuss the issue with complete impartiality.

It also said it aims to create a dialogue environment that accommodates the participation of all opinions and proposals.

The discussions will involve experts representing all political and social sides and ministries and relevant institutions, the statement noted.

The goal is to reach recommendations that reflect the views of all parties and submit them to the president, it added.

The board said it will start receiving proposals from all entities and parties wishing to participate in the discussions from Thursday until 10 October.

The board will incorporate these proposals into the discussion session, which is scheduled to begin as soon as possible.

The government has recently moved to cut the subsidy bill as part of its plan to narrow the budget deficit and streamline public finances.

It has introduced a 10-15 percent fuel price hike, increased metro and train fares, and oversaw a 300 percent price hike on subsidized bread.  

The government says the plan aims to direct subsidies to those most in need without affecting the state's finances.

In his policy statement before the House of Representatives on 8 July, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly raised the possibility of replacing in-kind subsidies with cash payments.

He argued the switch would make citizens rationalize their consumption of bread and help reduce the wheat import bill.

The National Dialogue was launched in May 2023 upon a call from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to address Egypt's diverse political, economic, and social issues.

In August 2023, the first round of discussions concluded with recommendations later submitted to El-Sisi.

In January 2024, El-Sisi called for launching a second round of the national dialogue to tackle economic challenges.

In August, its board prepared a set of recommendations and proposals concerning pretrial detention, currently under the house’s review.