Al-Mashat, Egypt’s USAID Mission Director Discuss Boosting Co-op

The Minister of International Cooperation Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat met with Egypt’s USAID Mission Director Leslie Reed, to discuss joint cooperation in light of Egyptian - US strategic relations supporting the country’s development agenda, and to look into ongoing development projects and new, potential projects, especially within the framework of hosting COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh.

During the meeting, Al-Mashat referred to the Egyptian-American strategic dialogue that took place last November, reflecting the partnership between both countries.

The Minister also touched on the ongoing discussions to enhance future cooperation between both sides, increasing US investments in Egypt, especially in information and communication technology, economic empowerment of women, and climate action.

Applauding the bilateral development cooperation between Egypt and the USA, Al-Mashat referred to the signing of 7 grant agreements worth $125 million last year within the framework of joint economic relations between both countries, thus enhancing development cooperation in several fields, in line with the country’s 2030 Vision. The signed agreements allocate $17 million to the sector of basic education; $31 million to the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative (HEI); $4 million to U.S-Egyptian cooperation in the sector of science and technology; $27 million to economic governance; $5 million to agriculture and rural development; and $28 million to bolstering trade and investment in Egypt.

Implemented in partnership with the USAID, within the Basic Education Agreement, Al-Mashat also pointed to her visit to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) School in the governorate of Assiut. The school reflects the importance of the role of enabling girls in Upper Egypt with educational opportunities, ensuring a better future.

Al-Mashat expressed that there are great opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in terms of transitioning to a green economy and in climate action, particularly in light of Egypt’s presidency of COP27. This includes women’s participation in addressing climate change, reducing carbon emissions, developing and supporting entrepreneurship, providing necessary investment to support developing and emerging countries in a green transformation, and stimulating the participation of the private sector.

The Minister also referred to the recent AmCham event “Building Momentum to UN COP27”, during which they reviewed Egypt’s plans for a green transformation, and the focus on new and renewable energy, and sustainable transport and infrastructure.

Al-Mashat also affirmed the Government of Egypt’s keenness in advancing cooperation frameworks with the USAID in the context of encouraging the participation of the private sector in financing mitigation and adaptation projects to address the repercussions of climate change.

For her part, Egypt’s USAID Mission Director Leslie Reed, emphasized US relations with Egypt at all levels, and their readiness to open more the door to more areas of cooperation.

In 2020, the Egyptian-American relations witnessed several developments with 7 grant agreements signed with the USA, represented by USAID, worth $112 million to develop the country's priority sectors, and in November 2021, 7 new grant agreements worth $125 million were also signed, addressing education, higher education, science and technology, agriculture, health, economic governance, and trade and investment.

The USAID’s historical cooperation portfolio in Egypt has exceeded $30 billion since 1978, in various sectors such as health and population, and education. Moreover, the portfolio of projects signed since 2014 has reached about $1 billion.