Egyptian army takes control of commodities imports

Egypt’s army has replaced a supply firm to take full control of the imports of strategic commodities such as wheat, in a move that highlights the growing role of the Egyptian armed forces in the economy, Reuters reported.

The army will conduct tenders on wheat and other strategic commodities instead of the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), a subsidiary of the supplies ministry, the agency said citing an official document it has seen.

Now the Mostakbal Misr Agency for Sustainable Development of the Egyptian Air Forces has become the exclusive body responsible for importing food commodities, it said.

Founded in 2022 by presidential decree, Mostakbal Misr serves as the development arm of the Egyptian Armed Forces. While initially focused on land reclamation projects, its remit has since expanded to include major sectors of the economy.

The government argues that military involvement helps fill gaps in the market and ensures the stability of essential supplies. However, this approach has also led to worries about the concentration of economic power and its impact on private sector competition