STORY: Egyptian gov't opens fairs nationwide for affordable school supplies ahead of new school year
SHOOTING TIME: Sept. 14, 2024
DATELINE: Sept. 16, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:02
LOCATION: Cairo
CATEGORY: ECONOMY/EDUCATION

SHOTLIST:
1. various of people buying school supplies at a low-priced school supplies fair in Cairo
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NERMIN WASSIF, Egyptian citizen
3. various of people buying school supplies
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): TAHA MOHAMMED, Egyptian citizen
5. various of people buying school supplies
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): MOATAZ MOHAMMED, Bookshop owner

STORYLINE:

At a bustling fair selling low-priced school supplies in the Egyptian capital Cairo, parents were busy selecting goods for their children as the new school year begins later this month.

Dubbed "Welcome Schools," the fairs, organized by the Egyptian government across the country, will last until the end of September or until the end of the year in some governorates. They aim to help parents buy their children's needs at more affordable prices, according to media reports.

At the main fair in Cairo, which covers about 6,000 square meters, around 200 vendors showcased their school-related goods, including clothing, school uniforms, school supplies, leather products, and school bags, in addition to a section for food products.

During the inauguration ceremony of the fair in Cairo last week, Egyptian Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Sherif Farouk said that the event represents a true partnership between the government and the private sector for the benefit of citizens.

The minister, whose ministry organizes the fairs in cooperation with other ministries, affirmed that the "state is keen to provide various forms of support to alleviate the burdens on Egyptian families."

A large number of consumers were attending the fairs for their competitive prices.

"The prices of school uniforms and clothes in general are very low compared to those in shops... at least 30 percent cheaper," Nermin Wassif, a mother of one girl, told Xinhua while shopping at the fair.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NERMIN WASSIF, Egyptian citizen
"Here, I bought a hoodie for my daughter for 350 Egyptian pounds and shoes for 250. In other shops, they were 800 and 700, respectively. So, there is a significant difference between the prices here and at other shops."

The middle-aged woman said she did not expect the prices to be within reach of most Egyptian families.

"I already bought a pair of shoes and a jacket for my daughter at a very reasonable price. I will now go buy the stationery," she said, flashing a smile. "I will tell all my friends and relatives about this fair."

Taha Mohammed, a father of three schoolchildren from Cairo, was surprised by the good prices and high quality of the supplies at the vast fair.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): TAHA MOHAMMED, Egyptian citizen
"I came here to buy only school uniforms, but I ended up purchasing additional items, such as kids' clothes and shoes. The prices at this fair are cheap and very reasonable. I didn't know they were so good. If I had known beforehand, I would have brought more money to buy more things."

As for the vendors, they said they are always keen to support Egyptian families before the start of the new school year by offering discounts that sometimes reach more than 30 percent.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): MOATAZ MOHAMMED, Bookshop owner
"We always participate in the exhibition. This year, we are offering discounts of up to 10 percent on school supplies and books."

Mohammed revealed that he sells at prices lower than those at his bookstore, hoping to relieve citizens' burden amid skyrocketing prices.

Over the past two years, the foreign currency shortage in Egypt has led to the devaluation of the local currency and the rise of a parallel currency exchange market, plunging Egypt into one of its worst economic crises.

The crisis was further exacerbated by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that erupted last year, which has impacted Egypt's tourism sector and halved its revenues from the Suez Canal.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo.
(XHTV)