It was all about the economy once again last night, as the nation’s talking heads focused on a meeting held by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly to speed up the release of goods that have been stuck at customs due to FX shortages and the second round of the National Dialogue set to kick off today that are focussed on the economy.

There could be a decline in the prices of essential commodities before Ramadan, as the release of goods that had been stuck at customs brings down prices, Federation of Chambers of Commerce Secretary-General Alaa Ezz told Kelma Akhira’s Lamees El Hadidi (watch, runtime: 3:50). “With the release of more goods stuck in ports, prices will decrease. This will start at the wholesale price level and eventually reflect on retail prices, which usually takes between five days to a week,” Ezz said.

“Prices of cooking oil could go down by 30-40% in the coming period, as local banks continue to provide the necessary USD liquidity to importers and the USD price stabilizes,” Federation of Egyptian Industries member El Sayed Bassiouny called in to tell Lamees Al Hadidi (watch, runtime: 2:35).

The return of the National Dialogue got some air time as well, with El Hekaya’s Amr Adib conducting an interview with the dialogue’s general coordinator Diaa Rashwan (watch, runtime: 11:24). Rashwan reiterated that the dialogue’s sessions will be centered around the country’s economic challenges and said that the dialogue would work to provide realistic and applicable solutions to these problems. The National Dialogue also received coverage from Al Hayah Al Youm (watch, runtime: 9:22) and Masaa DMC (watch, runtime: 38:50).

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