列国鉴·埃及丨记者观察：埃及民生面临挑战 亟待多措并举推进改革

Economic Overview - Egypt's economy is facing long-term structural issues compounded by geopolitical conflicts, leading to persistent stagnation and soaring inflation, which increases pressure on living standards [1] - Despite government relief policies, poverty and high living costs continue to undermine social confidence, indicating a need for comprehensive reforms to remove barriers to economic development [1] Personal Accounts - A Cairo resident, Samal Mohamed, reports that her monthly income of 30,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately 4,315 RMB) is insufficient to keep up with rapidly rising prices, necessitating additional online teaching work [2] - In contrast, Khaled Sherif, a driver earning 7,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately 1,007 RMB), struggles to support his family due to the high cost of basic necessities, such as eggs priced at 200 Egyptian pounds (approximately 29 RMB) [4] - The Egyptian National Wage Committee announced an increase in the minimum wage for private sector workers from 6,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately 860 RMB) to 7,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately 1,007 RMB) effective March 1, 2025 [2] Economic Structure and Challenges - Egypt's economy heavily relies on tourism and the Suez Canal, with underdeveloped agriculture and industry, leading to a significant trade deficit [6] - Experts attribute the current economic crisis to a combination of long-standing structural issues and recent external shocks, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and renewed regional conflicts [6] Government Response and Reforms - The Egyptian government has initiated a series of economic reform plans aimed at restructuring the economy while ensuring social stability [10] - Experts emphasize the importance of diversifying the economy beyond service trade, advocating for improvements in the investment environment to attract foreign investment and revitalize traditional industries [10] - Recommendations include encouraging private sector growth, enhancing tourism investment, and developing renewable energy projects to meet the growing demands of the tourism sector [10]