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Egypt gets $ 60 m grant from USAID in support of SDGs programs
Egypt will get $ 60 million grant from the US Agency of International Development (USAID) in support of the Sustainable Development Goals’ programs, particularly in the educational and health scores, the Egyptian Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation said in a press release.
Egyptian Investment Minister Sahar Nasr signed on Sunday with USAID Director in Cairo Sherry Carlin four grant agreements in the fields of higher education, science, technology, health, trade and investment.
The deals fall within the framework of the second stage of the health improvement agreement, which is meant to promote the current Egyptian family planning and reproductive health program in order to become more effective and sustainable.
The agreements are also part of the fourth stage of an Egyptian-American higher education initiative which aims at having an educated workforce capable of catering for the labor market needs, creating more jobs for graduates of higher education and promoting the institutional potentials of the Egyptian higher education institutions through partnerships and increasing scholarships.
This stage also includes a partnership between Egyptian and American higher education institutions, scholarships for American colleges and universities, the National Scholarship Program, the University Center for Professional Development program, the School Enhancement Program, and the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers, the statement added.
The fourth stage of the Egyptian-American science and technology cooperation agreement is meant to expand relationships between the scientific and technological communities of both sides, bolster scientific and technological cooperation for peaceful purposes, exchanging ideas, information, skills and techniques of mutual interest between the two countries.
The four deals also support the third stage of the trade and investment promotion agreement in Egypt, which aims to realize economic growth through improving the trade and investment environment, improving labor productivity, giving momentum to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), bolstering entrepreneurship and vocation education and training.
Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr underlined the depth of the Egyptian-US ties, noting that the agreements fall within the framework of supporting President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s initiative to invest in humans through the grants offered for developing higher education and scientific research, generating jobs as well as upgrading health services.
The deals will help the Egyptian ministries of higher education and health to accomplish their programs, she said, adding that the deals will also contribute to increasing the US investments in Egypt through cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce.
The grants will support development plans, increase jobs for university graduates, secure more scholarships, develop vocational and technical education and give a fillip to SMEs and entrepreneurship, she said.
She said the USAID has been an economic partner for the Egyptian government for decades as it has extended to Egypt about $30 billion
The US investments in Egypt hit $ 22 billion in December 2018, she said, noting that some US companied pumped fresh investments in Egypt by about $ 1 billion in the 2017-2018 FY.
For her part, USAID Director in Cairo Sherry Carlin considered the agreement as a cogent proof of the strong and durable partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation.
She added that the agreements promote the private sector’s work, especially in the field of renewable energy.
She commended the partnership with Egypt which led also to improving the investment climate and empowering women.
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