With fiscal belt-tightening being the mantra of the day, the government is reportedly studying hiking potable water prices another 30% for consumers and 50% for industrial and commercial use, government sources tell Al Borsa. The Housing Ministry’s drinking water and wastewater unit — which is setting the new prices in conjunction with the Water Holding Company — plans enforce the 30% raise on consumers of the second to fourth highest consumption tier, or 40% of users. The prices are expected to come into effect during the second half of the FY2016-17 fiscal year. As we noted back in February, Mamdouh Reslan, head of the water holding company, said prices of water began increasing in January at a range of EGP 0.07 to EGP 0.20 per cubic meter depending on the consumption tier, and will continue to rise annually for the next five years.

What about electricity? We have still not seen word on when new electricity prices will be announced, let alone come into effect. New prices were announced for consumption in July (the August billing cycle) and then clawed back because Cabinet wanted to look into the issue.