● Minister of International Cooperation: The implementation of 26 projects in Egypt within the projects implemented within the “ENI CBC - Mediterranean Sea Basin Program 2014-2020” in various fields within the country's development priorities.
The Minister of International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, delivered a speech at the closing ceremony of the "Green Innovation in the Mediterranean Region GIMED" project, implemented with funding from the European Union (EU) over a period of three years and signed in October 2019. It was implemented in Egypt by the Alexandria Business Association, through companies with 6 other Mediterranean countries, including: Spain, Italy, Lebanon, Tunisia and Palestine.
During her video speech, the Minister explained that the project achieved a set of important results, the most important of which is promoting green economic development in the Mediterranean region and facing environmental changes, creating job opportunities, especially for graduates and youth, promoting the development of innovative environmental projects and stimulating the circular economy.
The Minister pointed out the climate challenges facing the Mediterranean region and their impact on increasing unemployment rates and inequality. Therefore, the "Green Innovation in the Mediterranean" project, which was implemented within the projects implemented within the “ENI CBC - Mediterranean Sea Basin Program 2014-2020, played an important role in promoting the needs and priorities of the region's countries by financing 13 countries with a total of 209 million euros from the EU. The project aims to establish an initiative that promotes sustainable development and reduces the levels of inequality in living standards among Mediterranean countries, as well as supporting cooperation between the government, private, and civil society sectors.
Al-Mashat stated that Egypt has benefited from the program in light of cooperation with the EU through the implementation of 26 projects in various sectors, including business development, small and medium-sized companies, tourism, education and scientific research, technological development, innovation and social integration, climate change, renewable energy and integrated coastal zone management in the governorates of Egypt: Kafr El Sheikh, Dakahlia, Alexandria, Sharqia, Marsa Matruh, Port Said, El-Beheira, Ismailia, Damietta, Gharbia, Menoufia, Suez and Qalyubia.
H.E. added that the Ministry of International Cooperation, as the national coordinator of the program, is keen to benefit from Egypt's participation in the new phase of the program in light of cooperation with the EU for the period 2021-2027. The new phase strengthens cooperation between 15 countries and involves more than 500 relevant stakeholders from the Mediterranean region with the aim of contributing to sustainable and smart development.
H.E. emphasized the ministry's keenness to enhance ambitious partnerships at both the regional and international levels, as well as bilateral and multilateral partnerships. In addition, the minister stated the ministry's keenness to encourage the private sector's participation in development efforts through facilitative development financing and technical support to support joint efforts to achieve development, support small and medium-sized enterprises, and keep up with global changes and challenges.
It is worth noting that the current development cooperation portfolio between Egypt and the EU amounts to about Є1.3 billion. These projects are financed through European financing mechanisms within the framework of bilateral and regional cooperation, and the Blended Finance mechanism.