RIYADH: Egypt has ordered early closures of shops and restaurants and introduced partial remote working in a bid to curb energy consumption, as higher global fuel costs and regional conflicts strain the country’s import bill.
Under directives issued by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, commercial establishments including malls, restaurants, and public venues must close by 9:00 p.m., with extended hours until 10:00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays, according to the State Information Service.
The prime minister also mandated that both the public and private sectors work remotely every Sunday, starting April 1, for one month, with factories, water, gas, and sanitation services, as well as hospitals, schools, and universities, exempt from this decision.
The measures underscore mounting pressure on Egypt’s economy from rising energy prices, which have driven up import costs and prompted authorities to cut consumption without disrupting growth.
Madbouly said the country’s energy import bill more than doubled from $1.2 billion in January to $2.5 billion in March, driven by sharp increases in global fuel, petroleum, liquefied natural gas, and crude oil prices amid the regional war.
