Dr. Rania Al-Mashat: The two grants reflect the strong partnership between Egypt and the European Union and their role in supporting economic development across various sectors.
The House of Representatives, in a session chaired by Counselor Dr. Hanafy Gebaly, approved today two grant agreements for the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation. This includes the endorsement of Presidential Decree No. 398 of 2024 regarding the approval of the financing agreement for the program "EU Support for Future Generations," funded by the European Union with a grant of €8 million.
Additionally, it includes Presidential Decree No. 399 of 2024 regarding the approval of the financing agreement for the project "Standards for Enhancing Vaccine and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Processes and Implementing Health Technologies," with a grant of €3 million between the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the European Union.
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, clarified that these grants are part of the long-term partnership between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the European Union, aimed at enhancing development efforts in various priority sectors.
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat indicated that the financing agreement for the "EU Support for Future Generations" program, funded by the European Union with a grant of €8 million, aims to support the national approach to child protection systems in Egypt. This will involve implementing activities that focus on the political, legal, and institutional frameworks for combating child labor, as well as improving children's access to comprehensive prevention and protection services. It also aims at providing a positive social environment for children that ensures their rights, including education, healthcare, nutrition, housing, and other services.
The Minister noted that the €3 million grant for the project enhancing vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and implementing health technologies supports the sustainable implementation of national plans to increase local production of health products. It aims to ensure equitable access to these products across various geographic areas in Africa, contribute to the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy and global health strategy, and prepare a multi-year action plan for Egypt for 2023.
The second agreement is funded under the Neighborhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument, which supports the establishment of infrastructure and production capacities in the pharmaceutical and health technology sectors, providing high potential for partnerships and trade, establishing regulatory frameworks, implementing universal health coverage, and conducting relevant research.
The current phase witnesses significant development in mutual relations with multilateral and bilateral development partners to support the state's efforts under the economic and social development plan. This is achieved through the provision of grants, facilitated financing, and technical support for numerous projects being implemented in various governorates, in line with the state’s priorities and targets across multiple sectors, including housing and utilities, energy, environment, local development, supply, health, capacity building, and other key sectors.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation will continue its role in enhancing mutual relations with multilateral and bilateral development partners to support the state's developmental vision, ensuring integration and coordination between these partnerships and the state’s investment plan, thereby making the working mechanism more efficient and effective to enhance macroeconomic stability.