CABINET WATCH- “Meeza” debit card to encompass all government services: The government is working to expand its new “Meeza” state debit card to be the single platform through which citizens will access all government services, including healthcare services under the Universal Healthcare Act, according to a Cabinet statement. Subsidies beneficiaries (whether it be fuel and commodities) and recipients of cash subsidy programs such as Takaful and Karama will receive their benefits through these cards when they start rolling out in December. Other decisions taken by the cabinet include:

• Approving a EUR 213 mn loan from the European Investment Bank to upgrade sewage systems in the Nile Delta region;
• Approving a USD 300 mn loan from the World Bank to develop and upgrade water and sewage system across rural Egypt;
• Approving a grant from China for an unspecified amount to help fund upgrades to Egypt’s public schools;
• Dedicating a portion of tithes collected from theaters, cinemas and entertainment venues towards funding charitable organizations;
• Approving payments of EGP 100k to each of the families of the victims of a Daesh terrorist attack on a bus carrying Coptic Christian pilgrims earlier this month.