Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Sherif Farouk has directed the urgent formation of a joint committee to evaluate the demands of bakery owners and propose executive solutions, with a mandate to deliver a comprehensive report within one month.
The directive was announced during an extensive meeting between Farouk, Head of the General Federation of Chambers of Commerce Ahmed El-Wakil, and Head of the General Division of Bakeries Abdallah Ghorab. The talks, which aimed to address operational challenges and ensure the sustainability of bread production, were also attended by federation advisor Alaa Ezz and senior ministry officials including Mohamed Sheta, Ahmed Kamal, Ahmed Abou El-Gheit, Sarah El-Azazy, Issa Kamal, and Hassanein El-Sharkawy.
During the session, officials reviewed the cost of bread production and the financial burdens borne by bakery owners. They evaluated regulations governing bakery operations, specifically Decisions No. 175 and 88, alongside the regulatory framework for unregulated bread to guarantee appropriate pricing and weights without overlapping with the subsidised system. The discussions also covered the direct discount system and the regularisation of financial settlements between stakeholders to ensure clear workflows and continuous supply.
Farouk described bakery owners as essential partners in the bread system, stressing that their stability is vital for ensuring uninterrupted service to citizens. He noted that ongoing developments to the subsidy system aim to enhance the efficiency of social protection and guarantee aid reaches its rightful recipients. Any executive steps, he added, will be preceded by careful study and dialogue with various parties to improve operational efficiency, strengthen governance, and simplify procedures.
El-Wakil affirmed the federation’s support for state efforts to develop the system, highlighting the need to reach practical solutions that balance the interests of the government, citizens, and bakers. Ghorab echoed this sentiment, expressing appreciation for the minister’s direct engagement and reiterating the division’s commitment to maintaining regular bread delivery amidst current challenges.
The newly mandated committee will comprise representatives from the supply ministry, the General Federation of Chambers of Commerce, and the General Division of Bakeries. All participants agreed to maintain ongoing coordination to translate the discussed proposals into clear executive mechanisms that secure the food security network.
