To add details

June 4 (Reuters) - Egypt aims to list four to five state-owned companies on the stock market before the end of December, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Thursday.

Egypt, which is struggling with high debt and inflation, is seeking to sell state-owned companies through direct deals or listing them on the stock exchange in order to boost the role of the private sector in the economy and attract investment, in line with broader reforms under an $8 billion program with the International Monetary Fund.

Madbouly did not mention any of the companies that are being considered for inclusion.

Madbouly added in a press conference that the government also intends to convert in-kind support into cash support during the next fiscal year, and explained that the goal is not to reduce the monetary value of the support but to ensure that it reaches those who deserve it.

More than 60 million people receive subsidized basic goods through government outlets, while a total of about 70 million benefit from subsidized bread.