● “Al-Mashat”: Extending the implementation period of the country program with the OECD until 2025 and periodic follow-up to complete the various projects and programs agreed upon to push structural reforms that stimulate the private sector.
● Continuous communication with the relevant national entities to follow up on the implementation position of the recommendations contained in Egypt’s first economic report prepared within the framework of the program.
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, met with Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), during her participation in the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The meeting included discussions on the progress in implementing the country program between Egypt and the OECD, which is based on five policy areas and pillars: Economic Growth, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Governance and Anti-Corruption, Statistics, and Sustainable Development.
The Minister noted Egypt’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with the OECD and move forward in implementing the agreed upon program, especially in light of the great importance the Government of Egypt attaches to implementing structural reforms that provide more opportunities for the private sector to lead growth rates, and implement the government's new program for the next three years, in support of Egypt's Vision 2030 and the SDGs.
In this regard, Al-Mashat explained that the implementation period of the country program with the OECD will be extended for an additional year, to end in 2025 instead of 2024, so that the various agreed-upon programs and projects can be completed, in coordination with the relevant national entities.
Al-Mashat stated that the Ministry will work to intensify coordination with the relevant entities and ministries in Egypt to complete the implementation of the country program and build on what was achieved during the last period, as the first economic report for Egypt prepared by the OECD has been completed, explaining that the Ministry has an ongoing communication stream with national entities to follow-up on the executive status of the recommendations in the report and to benefit from its recommendations in formulating policies and procedures that will enhance the performance of the Egyptian economy. This includes support in achieving macroeconomic stability, increasing the efficiency of financial and monetary policies, enhancing the investment environment and increasing private sector participation in the economy, enhancing labor market efficiency, creating decent job opportunities, and supporting the transition towards a green economy.
In this regard, the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation confirmed that an institutional framework has been developed to follow up on the implementation of the country program, which contributes to the consistency of the program activities with the directions and priorities of the government and its new program, to ensure the governance of communication with the organization and to maximize cooperation within the framework of the country program.
Moreover, within the framework of the country program, the country review report on artificial intelligence was launched, as well as the inclusion of Egypt in the organization’s digital transformation toolkit (Going Digital Toolkit) within the framework of activating the projects of the second pillar of the program. This group aims to help the Egyptian government to assess the state of digital transformation and formulate appropriate policies that will enhance digital transformation in all fields, as well as launching a report reviewing green growth policies in Egypt.
Al-Mashat stated that the agreed-upon program activities and projects are currently being completed, stressing that the Ministry is keen to continue holding periodic coordination meetings with the organization’s work teams and national authorities to review the progress achieved in the various projects under implementation.