Egypt, EU agree on 2020 projects at EUR 110 m

22 / 07 / 2019

By Marwa Zein

Egypt and the European Union have agreed on implementing 110-million-euro projects in 2020 in the fields of energy, water, trade and local development.

The projects are part of the 2017-2020 Unified Support Framework worth €500 million by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The agreement was reached during a meeting on Monday between the head of the EU Delegation in Egypt, Ambassador Ivan Surkoš and a number of Egyptian ministers and top officials.

Egyptian Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr said the EU is one of the key international development partners.

She noted that empowering youths is a top priority for the Egyptian-EU projects in line with directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

She added that an international conference will be held in the Suez Canal in tandem with the EU. The get-together will focus on the sectors of renewable energy and local development.

Meanwhile, Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker – who attended the meeting – said the main goal of cooperating with the EU is boosting renewable energy production alongside establishing energy distribution control centers and improving production and distribution.

For his part, Local Development Minister Mahmoud Shaarwi said the ministry agreed with the EU to fund four local development.

The projects include training cadres in local units, exchanging expertise, empowering women, developing IT centers in various and upgrading the institutional structures of the Local Development Fund.

Meanwhile, Minister of Environmental Affairs Yasmine Fouad voiced hope that cooperation with the EU would be given momentum in the coming period, especially in the field of solid waste recycling and increasing the awareness of environmental conservation in schools and universities.

She said the EU will extend a 20-million-euro fund for environmental and climate change program due to start in 2020.

“Egypt and European countries are neighbors and friends, working together to achieve all aspirations of the Egyptians and Europeans alike. It is a big pleasure for the EU to be the biggest developmental partner to Egypt in line with Egypt’s vision for sustainable development”, head of the EU Delegation in Egypt, Ambassador Ivan Surkoš clarified.

He highlighted that the EU is keen on supporting the private sector in Egypt.