A vehicle’s fuel tank is being refilled at a petrol station in Cairo. AFP
The measures aim to curb energy consumption after Egypt's monthly petroleum import bill more than doubled, rising from $1.2 billion in January to $2.5 billion in March, as a result of the Middle East conflict.
Hereunder are key measures announced by the Egyptian cabinet:
Reducing gov’t spending
On 9 March, the cabinet approved a set of measures to reduce government spending and energy consumption.
The measures included cancelling some government events, reducing official travel, limiting training programs, and tightening fuel consumption across sectors.
They also included regulating road and billboard lighting, and accelerating the conversion of vehicles to natural gas.
Adjusting fuel prices
On 10 March, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced an increase in the prices of several petroleum products and natural gas for vehicles by between 14 percent and 30 percent.
The ministry said current disruptions in supply chains, rising risk levels, and higher maritime shipping and insurance costs have pushed global prices of crude oil and petroleum products to levels not seen in years.
Securing strategic reserves
On 11 March, the cabinet instructed officials to increase strategic reserves of essential commodities and step up market monitoring to curb unjustified price hikes to safeguard supplies.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly emphasized the need to maintain comfortable stock levels of basic goods, to respond immediately to any abnormal price increases, and to ensure the availability of key commodities in local markets.
Energy rationalization
On 18 March, the cabinet announced a package of additional energy-saving measures to rationalize electricity consumption, including early business closures and a shift toward remote work for some government employees.
Measures included the reduction of street lighting to minimum levels, with all roadside advertising lights switched off, as well as the closure of government offices at 6 pm, with the remaining administrative work carried out remotely.
Transport hikes
On 26 March, the Ministry of Transport announced that it is increasing train ticket prices and the prices of certain metro and railway fares.
Early closing hours
As of 28 March, the government imposed restricted closing hours for commercial venues at 9 pm, except on Thursdays, Fridays, official holidays, and public occasions, when closing hours will be extended to 10 pm.
These venues include public shops, commercial centres, shopping malls, restaurants, cafés, bazaars, nightclubs, discos, souvenir shops, and tourist goods stores.
Slowing the pace
On 28 March, the cabinet announced that the state will slow work on megaprojects that consume heavy fuel for two months. Madbouly said on Saturday that all ministers have been ordered to identify ongoing mega-projects with high diesel and gasoline consumption to implement the two-month slowdown.
Work from home
As of 1 April, the government will impose mandatory work-from-home on Sundays at government workplaces. PM Madbouly said that while the current plan targets one remote workday per week, the government is prepared to expand that to two days if the energy crisis persists.
Cutting gov’t fuel allocations
The cabinet also announced on Saturday that it will cut fuel allocations dedicated to all government institutions by 30 percent.
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