Elsewhere, the Finance Ministry has reportedly set 15 April as the deadline for all public-sector employees to be paid through electronic cash transfer rather than the distribution of physical cash, Al Borsa reports. Government offices have been notified of the date and are expected to issue bank cards to the remaining unbanked employees over the coming two months. Prime Minister Sherif Ismail had issued an ultimatum last month giving government offices and companies three months to make the switch to an electronic payment system, prohibiting a return to cash or cheque payments. The decision is part of a state-endorsed initiative to enhance financial inclusion, as the government has accelerated the pace at which it has shifted payroll to the banking system over the past two years.

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