Egypt’s new ministerial cabinet announces Wednesday the restructuring of some ministries and business-related agencies.
The decision, which awaits approval of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces, transfers the food supply, consumer and competition law authorities under the ministry of social justice, which is already responsible for a LE13bn food subsidy program and is supervising the work of NGOs.
"This is a temporary situation, till a new constitution is in place and the legislative framework improves," comments the minister of social justice, Gouda Abdel Khaleq to Ahram Online.
The minister admits, however, that these authorities should be independent and not subordinate to any ministry.
Egyptian laws currently stipulate that a lawsuit against a monopolistic entity should be approved by the minister.
"This applies to charges against tax evaders, as well as a producer who violates consumer's rights or harms their competitors. This should be changed," said Minister Abdel Khaleq bluntly.
The cabinet also decided that the authority of investment should be under the social justice ministry’s umbrella instead of answering to the ministry of investment, considering that the ministerial post itself has been vacant ever since the previous minister, Mahmoud Mohieldin, left the post to become director general of the World Bank.
Short link: