The former World Bank economist and first-time minister, who otherwise offered few specifics on upcoming policy, confirmed that the interim government was committed to pushing ahead with the implementation of a smart card system for distributing state-subsidised fuel launched by the previous administration.
Echoing the former government's latest announcements, Galal confirmed that the new system would initially be used to prevent smuggling rather than ration fuel to card holders.
According to former petroleum minister Osama Kamal, no less than 20 percent of Egypt's subsidised fuel is lost to smuggling and black markets.
Galal did not specify when and how the cards, which until late June were officially intended to ration subsidised fuel, would be used for that purpose.
Egypt's wasteful fuel subsidy system consumes around a fifth of budget expenditure.
Past governments, including Morsi's have struggled to implement subsidy cuts, which would be deeply unpopular. Despite pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the law passed by Morsi on 29 June increased total government spending on energy subsidies by LE20 billion ($2.8 billion).
Asked about Egypt's stalled negotiations with the IMF over a long-sought $4.8 billion loan, the minister said it was "neither urgent nor sufficient'' for Egypt's economy.
"This issue has been given more importance than it merits in my view," said Galal. "This loan is not a question of life and death."
Galal, who said he had been privy to negotiations over the IMF loan in the past, did not rule out Egypt returning to the negotiating table over the loan, "though this time it will be on our own terms,'' he added.
The IMF's dissatisfaction with Egypt's proposed economic reforms to secure the loan in April led the finance ministry to revise the 2013/14 draft budget, reducing total expenditure by nearly 15 percent, to LE589.3 billion (roughly $98.5 billion), according the state-owned Al-Ahram daily newspaper.
Yet an agreement with the international lender eluded Morsi's government.
The minister said the $12 billion in aid recently pledged to Egypt by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait would tide it over for some time, but that ultimately structural reform was essential to achieving long-term economic recovery.
Asked about the 2013/14 budget, which was stalled after the fall of Morsi's regime, Galal refused to comment on whether it would be subject to amendment, saying it was too early to tell.
