● "Al-Mashat": We are working to enhance international partnerships to support the competitiveness of the industrial sector and enable entrepreneurs to access new markets.
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, and Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Lieutenant General Eng. Kamel El-Wazir, witnessed the signing of the “EU Support to Trade, Industry, Growth & Rapid Market Access” (TIGARA). The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital by Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt, and Dr. Patrick Gilabert, Representative of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Regional Office in Egypt.
The program aims to achieve two main objectives: firstly, to improve the capacity and efficiency of the Egyptian system concerned with the development of enterprises and trade; and secondly, to increase the participation of Egyptian small and medium-sized enterprises in selected industrial value chains. This will be achieved by focusing on supporting Egyptian institutions dedicated to enterprise development, encouraging them, and supporting industrial clusters and selected value chains.
At the outset of the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport applauded the collaboration with the EU and UNIDO, which includes numerous projects and ongoing coordination with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation. This collaboration contributes to achieving comprehensive development in Egypt, highlighting the importance of this agreement in training and capacity building for the advancement of Egypt's industrial sector.
Minister Kamel El-Wazir explained that the EU TIGARA program, funded by the European Union with a value of €8 million and planned for implementation through UNIDO, will be executed over 60 months in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, UNIDO, and the EU. The program targets increasing the competitiveness and efficiency of the private sector in Egypt, promoting sustainable economic growth, and creating decent job opportunities.
He noted that the program focuses on industry and export, as well as transport and rapid market access, emphasizing that the industry will not reach internal and external markets without the provision of various transport modes (land, rail, and maritime ports).
Minister Kamel El-Wazir added that the Ministry is currently implementing a comprehensive plan to advance the industrial sector based on seven pillars, in line with the directives of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to transform Egypt into a regional industrial hub. He highlighted the Ministry's significant focus on human resources development through upgrading 41 training centers affiliated with the Industrial Training Authority and collaborating with the private sector in this development, particularly in light of the political leadership’s directives to enhance cooperation with the private sector in all fields, especially in transport and industry.
Minister Kamel El-Wazir also referenced meetings of the Ministerial Committee for Industrial Development with all manufacturers, investors, and industrial chambers to expedite manufacturing processes and procedures. He affirmed that this grant will be coordinated with the Ministry of Planning to contribute to preparing skilled specialists for the industrial sector.
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to achieving coordination and alignment between implemented programs and projects with international partners and government priorities, particularly concerning localizing industry and enhancing investment in human capital. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the program is a significant step in the Ministry’s efforts to boost the competitiveness of the industrial sector, support small and medium-sized enterprises, enable entrepreneurs to access new markets, and create more job opportunities.
Al-Mashat added that the government places considerable importance on industrial and human development through the allocation of two ministerial committees for these matters, recognizing industry as a key driver of economic growth and comprehensive development. She highlighted the close link between human development, which prepares and trains the workforce needed by the industrial sector, and the Ministry’s focus on training and skill enhancement as a major area of cooperation with the EU, aimed at encouraging local and foreign investment in priority sectors.
Al-Mashat also commended the evolving Egyptian-EU relations, exemplified by the elevated level of partnership during the Egyptian-EU summit held last March, which underscores the significant opportunities for joint efforts to enhance development through a focus on areas of mutual interest. She noted that the program will be implemented within the framework of the recently approved Country Partnership Program (PCP) with UNIDO, aiming to strengthen integrated industrial development and national exports.
In his statement, Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating: "The EU has been Egypt’s primary and principal trading partner for over twenty years under the long-standing free trade agreement. The relationship between the EU and Egypt is permanent, comprehensive, and strategic, and has achieved significant economic progress and growth. The European Union supports Egypt in enhancing its industrial sector and increasing its exports. This project reflects the strong partnership between the EU and Egypt, and we are confident that this initiative will significantly contribute to strengthening the country's economic resilience and achieving further growth. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of this project on Egypt’s economy and its people."
Dr. Patrick Gilabert, UNIDO Representative, also emphasized the project’s significance, stating: "The Tigara project is a strategic initiative aimed at transforming Egypt's industrial sector. By focusing on enhancing innovation, improving institutional capacities, and promoting sustainable practices, we are laying the foundation for a more competitive and inclusive industrial sector. We at UNIDO are honored to be part of this collaborative effort that underscores our commitment to sustainable industrial development in Egypt, and we are dedicated to ensuring its success and achieving the desired goals."
The signing ceremony was attended by Major General. Essam El-Naggar, Head of the General Organization for Export and Import Control; Brigadier General, Wael Naeem
Assistant Minister of Industry and Transport for Investments and External Financing; Ambassador Ahmed Rizk, Advisor to the Minister for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Transport, Eng. Ahmed Al-Zaher, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Authority (ITIDA), Ms. Samah Aziz, Director of the Central Department of International Relations at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and officials from the EU, UNIDO, project officials, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Authority.
It is noteworthy that the current cooperation portfolio between Egypt and the European Union amounts to approximately €1.3 billion in the form of grants and blended financing across sectors such as transport, water, agriculture, small and medium enterprises, renewable energy, capacity building, and includes 18 projects by UNIDO in Egypt valued at $52 million, including the Circular Economy Transition Program, the Trade, Industry, Growth, and Market Access Support Program, Green Growth in Industry, Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Various Industries, and supporting Egypt's efforts in implementing international commitments under the Montreal Protocol, among others.