Egypt’s Ministry of International Cooperation has reported that the ongoing funding by multilateral and bilateral development partners amounting to $486m has been channelled into 17 projects.
These projects are in 22 locations nationwide, and aim to support Egypt’s strategy in pushing towards achieving Goal 2 of the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to enhance food security.
According to the ministry’s ODA-SDG map, the development financing available to implement the second SDG encompasses $112m of non-refundable grants, and $374m of secured funding from 11 development partners.
These are namely: the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED); and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), among others. These funds represent 1.89% of the Ministry of International Cooperation’s current portfolio of $25.6bn.
In line with Egypt’s agenda regarding hunger eradication and food security enhancement, the US grant worth $72.5m to the Ministry of Agriculture has effectuated the agribusiness development project.
The project aims to enhance the Egyptian economy’s competitiveness and inclusivity through ensuring growth in certain agricultural fields. It also aims to boost private sector engagement, while improving agricultural products, farm productivity, and the marketing of crops.
In addition, the funding by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), amounting to SR 427.5m, equivalent to $114m, supports establishing grain storage silos in a number of governorates. The project shall enable structural reform and advance storage methods to improve efficiency, reduce grain waste, maintain production quality, and increase storage capacities to accommodate the local wheat production.
The SFD also finances the establishment of a water desalination plant, worth a total of SR 362.5m ($96.6m), to complement the Al-Arish plant in North Sinai, which has a capacity of 100,000 m3/day, expandable to 300,000 cubic metre/day.
The Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities has taken on the implementation of the project that not only achieves the second SDG of Zero Hunger, but also contributes to other relevant goals. These are namely: SDG8 relating to Decent Work and Economic Growth; and SDG17, relating to Partnerships for the Goals.
KFAED has provided development financing worth KWD 45m ($149.4m) to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, to develop and reclaim 400,000 feddans in North Sinai.
This project achieves sustainable and wide-ranging economic growth for North-Sinai Governorate, and improves agricultural productivity. It also aims to promote urban communities, and links Sinai to the Delta region, turning it into a natural extension of the valley.
Egypt’s Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat said that her ministry has allowed citizens and development partners to view the details of all projects implemented across Egypt in various sectors.
This comes as part of her ministry’s keenness to consolidate the principles of transparency and governance and enhance communication with the people. Projects are grouped according to their locations and the relevant SDGs they serve.
Minister Al-Mashat stressed that the map enables Egypt to fulfil its development priorities, by identifying what has been implemented and, consequently, pinpointing the gaps so as to direct future partnerships towards bridging these gaps. The map promotes transparent and effective communication with stakeholders and citizens to learn about the national development efforts made through international partnerships.
