Editing Economy of Egypt (section)

=== Role of the military ===
{{Main|Economy of the Egyptian Armed Forces}}

The [[Egyptian Armed Forces|Egyptian armed forces]] have wielded substantial influence over Egypt's economy. Military-run companies play a pivotal role across various industries, contributing significantly to public spending on housing and infrastructure, including activities such as cement and food production, as well as infrastructure development like roads and bridges. According to a study by the [[The Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center|Carnegie Middle East Centre]], the Egyptian army has control over about 25% of public spending allocated to housing and infrastructure.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=2023-04-13 |title=Egypt's army seems to want to make pasta as well as war |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/04/13/egypts-army-seems-to-want-to-make-pasta-as-well-as-war |access-date=2024-01-04 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>

Despite Egypt's commitment to reducing the military's economic impact per its agreement with the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF), recent developments indicate an opposing trend. The [[National Service Products Organization]] (NSPO), a firm under military ownership, is currently constructing new factories for the production of fertilizers, irrigation machines, and veterinary vaccines. The government discussed selling stakes in military-run companies Safi and Wataniya for two years. Despite claims of receiving offers, there are visible asset transfers, like the rebranding of Wataniya franchises into ChillOut stations.<ref name=":3" /> The army's expanding economic influence, from petrol stations to media, has stifled competition, hindered private investment and contributing to slower growth, higher prices, and limited opportunities for ordinary Egyptians.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-26 |title=To save Egypt's economy, get the army out of it |url=https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/01/26/to-save-egypts-economy-get-the-army-out-of-it |access-date=2024-01-04 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>

In 2022, responding to international calls for economic reform, Egypt introduced the State Ownership Policy Document in collaboration with the [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]]. The document outlines Egypt’s strategy to reduce state and military involvement in the economy, withdrawing entirely from certain industries within three years while maintaining or expanding a presence in strategic sectors. It also seeks to increase private sector participation by clearly defining the state's economic role, enhancing governance of state-owned enterprises according to [[OECD]] standards, and promoting competitive neutrality.<ref name=sopd>{{cite web | url=https://www.cabinet.gov.eg/conference/pdf/property-policy-document-eng.pdf | title=State Ownership Policy Document | publisher=Government of Egypt | date=June 2022 | access-date=1 March 2025 }}</ref> By the final quarter of 2024, these reforms had led private investment to exceed public investment for the second consecutive quarter, representing over half of total investments. During this period, private investments increased by 35.4% year-on-year, whereas public investments declined by 25.7%,<ref>{{cite news |title=Egyptian Economy Grows at Quickest Quarterly Pace Since 2022 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-26/egyptian-economy-grows-at-quickest-quarterly-pace-since-2022?embedded-checkout=true |work=Bloomberg |date=26 March 2025 |access-date=27 March 2025}}</ref> marking a significant departure from Egypt’s recent history of public investment dominance.