Subsidies led the discussion on last night’s talk shows, with the nation’s talking heads honing in on statements made by Supply Minister Sherif Farouk on government plans to restructure subsidies for a handful of essential commodities at a presser yesterday. The changes received ample airtime on Ala Mas’ouleety (watch, runtime: 40:08) and Salet El Tahrir (watch, runtime: 7:08).

Government to cut rations of subsidized sugar: The Supply Ministry will halt the distributionof additional quantities of subsidized sugar via ration cards from the beginning of September, reverting to the standard two-kilogram allocation in a bid to prevent additional sugar from reaching the black market. The ministry had increased sugar rations earlier this year in response to the worsening sugar shortage.

Sugar price hikes could be on the way: The ministry is considering raising the price of sugar on ration cards, Farouk said, adding that it is difficult to continue offering sugar at the price of EGP 12.60 per kg.

Changes might be coming for bread subsidies, too: The ministry is studying a proposal to sell subsidized bread by weight instead of the current system of five loaves per person a day, Farouk said. The proposal is still under review and hasn’t progressed further due to a number of factors, primarily opposition from bakeries, he explained.

ALSO ON THE AIRWAVES- The government is working to finalize an Egyptian-Saudi investment agreement: During a meeting with government officials yesterday, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly called for expediting work on the agreement to ensure that it’s ready to sign as soon as possible. The agreement — which seeks to enhance bilateral cooperation and ramp up joint investments — will attract more investments into priority sectors, support small- and medium-sized enterprises, and advance developmental goals in both countries. Cabinet Spokesperson Mohamed El Homsani discussed the agreement in a phone call with El Sa’a El Sadesa’s Azza Mostafa (watch, runtime: 12:37).

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