Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gave the go-ahead for the government's strategy to import rice with the aim of meeting local demands, after limiting the areas allocated for rice cultivation to adapt to a water shortage. The presidential decision, which turns Egypt from a major rice exporter into an importer, came during Sisi's meeting July 8 with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli and Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali al-Meselhi.
The meeting dealt with a host of files, including the Supply Ministry's strategy to ensure the availability of essential, strategic crops besides controlling the local market, according to presidential spokesperson Bassam Rady.
