Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Hussein Issa chaired two meetings on October 4, 2026, to discuss the restructuring and development of national press institutions. The meetings were attended by National Press Authority Chairman Abdel Sadek El-Shorbaji and other key stakeholders. The goal is to achieve financial sustainability and balance for these institutions, which are considered vital tools of Egypt's soft power.
The meetings reviewed the current state of several national press institutions, including Dar Al-Ma'arif, the National Distribution Company, and the Middle East News Agency. Discussions focused on their financial and administrative challenges, as well as proposed plans for restructuring and development. The aim is to improve financial and administrative performance, increase revenue, and maximize returns on assets.
Deputy Prime Minister Issa emphasized that the government is committed to supporting national press institutions, which are considered national assets with a long history of contributing to Egypt's media and cultural landscape. He stressed that restructuring efforts aim to build a modern, sustainable model that enables these institutions to fulfill their national and media roles effectively.
The meetings also addressed the issue of historical debts, particularly those related to taxes and insurance. It was confirmed that all bank loans to national press institutions have been rescheduled, reducing financial burdens and improving their ability to plan and invest in development. The National Press Authority is working to maximize the use of these institutions' assets and develop their financial resources.
National Press Authority Chairman Abdel Sadek El-Shorbaji highlighted the importance of investing in human capital and developing the skills of employees in national press institutions. He noted that the Authority is working to develop media content, exploit assets, and implement comprehensive programs for digital transformation.
The restructuring efforts are part of a broader strategy to develop Egypt's media sector. The government aims to enhance the performance of national press institutions, improve their financial sustainability, and increase their ability to fulfill their national roles. This includes developing media content, investing in human capital, and maximizing the use of assets.
Deputy Prime Minister Issa concluded that the government's support for national press institutions is a priority, and efforts will continue to address the challenges they face. The goal is to enable these institutions to play their national and media roles effectively, while contributing to Egypt's cultural and media landscape.
Key points
- The Egyptian government is prioritizing national press institutions as tools of soft power.
- Deputy Prime Minister Hussein Issa is leading efforts to restructure and develop these institutions.
- The goal is to achieve financial sustainability and balance for national press institutions.
