CABINET WATCH- The Madbouly Cabinet discussed the Finance Ministry’s proposed debt control strategy at its weekly meeting yesterday, according to a Cabinet statement. The statement did not delve into specifics on the plan or announce a timeline for it except to say that it is currently being finalized and will be out soon. The meeting also looked into preparations for the FY2018-19 school year, which will see the rollout of the new K-12 education system and the reform of the Thanaweya Amma graduation exam system. Healthcare strategy, particularly cutting down wait times for government operating rooms and a Hepatitis C survey, was also on the agenda.

Factories to get a national ID number? Following the meeting, the Supply Ministry’s Internal Trade Development Authority signed an agreement with the Tax Authority to begin implementing a national ID system for all factories and businesses, according to a cabinet statement. While there was little by way of explanation on that this entails, we know that this system had been in the works for some time, and a facility’s national ID would include more information than is present in the business’ license or its commercial registry. Decisions taken during the meeting include:

• Approving amendments to the role and responsibility of the Vice Ministers of Finance, the statement read without elaborating.
• Mandating the Nuclear Materials Authority and the Egyptian Black Sand Company to explore for black sand deposits in Egypt.