Cabinet econ team outlines policy priorities in group interview: The cabinet economic group — including the PM and the ministers of finance, investment, trade and industry, housing and petroleum — sat down for an extensive interview with Youm7’s editorial board, the latest installment in the government’s PR offensive to sell the public on its reform agenda. Particularly noteworthy:

• Public utilities will not be part of the first wave of the IPO program for state-owned assets, says Prime Minister Sherif Ismail;
• Finance Minister Amr El Garhy hits the nail on the head when it comes to a progressive tax system, saying stability in tax policy is more important than new taxes.
• Raising tariffs is always an option, but would send the wrong message to foreign investors, says Trade and Industry Minister Tarek Kabil.
• Local elections are in the pipeline
• Cleaning up the welfare rolls is near the top of the government’s agenda.

The interview is also notable for the amount of straight talk the ministers deliver: “Economic reform plans are 30 years late, and will continue for three years,” said the prime minister. “When you delay important economic decisions for a long time, you exhaust the whole system,” added El Garhy.

We have a full rundown on the cabinet econ group interview on our blog here.