The Ministers Hand Over Agricultural Development Projects to 40 Beneficiaries through Joint Initiative with QNB
»Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation:
• Sinai's Development Cluster Projects are a pioneering model for "Localizing Regional Development" and Achieving Balanced Development; its development is a matter of "National Security."
»Minister of Agriculture:
• The Agricultural Center in El-Qaa Plain is a "Developmental Radiance" and a fundamental pillar in the "Food Security 2030 Strategy."
» Minister of Religious Endowments:
• Development Projects in Egypt Reflect a Vision for Building "The Human and The Place," and the "Religious Discourse" is a Catalyst for Reconstruction and Production.
H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, H.E. Mr. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, H.E. Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Minister of Religious Endowments, and H.E. Major General Hisham Fathi Shendy (Commander of East Canal Counter-Terrorism Forces), inspected the Integrated Developmental Services Agricultural Center in El-Qaa Plain, South Sinai Governorate, which is affiliated with the Desert Research Center (DRC) and implemented by the East Canal Command of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
The ministers listened to a presentation by Dr. Hossam Shawky, president of the Desert Research Center, on the agricultural clusters in Sinai, which are considered one of the most important development projects in Sinai. These include 18 agricultural clusters, comprising 11 in North Sinai and 7 in South Sinai. The total area of the entire project is approximately 11,000 feddans distributed across the 18 clusters. He pointed out that about 2,122 beneficiaries benefit from the project, which aims to achieve family stability for the beneficiaries and provide permanent job opportunities for about 2,122 families and 3,000 seasonal opportunities.
The ministers inspected the buildings annexed to the center, which include an administration building, a services building, a hotel, an olive press, sales outlets, storage hangars, a mosque, a veterinary unit, as well as a well water desalination plant, a sewage treatment plant, in addition to conference and training halls.
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, emphasized that the development cluster projects in the Sinai Peninsula represent a pioneering model of the state's efforts to localize regional development and achieve balanced development among various governorates, in implementation of the directives of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic of Egypt, to enhance comprehensive, sustainable, and integrated development efforts, particularly in border areas and Sinai, due to its strategic importance and developmental, social, and economic dimensions.
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat added that these projects achieve a direct and sustainable impact on the lives of citizens and support the state's efforts in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, by providing job opportunities and improving basic services and infrastructure. She highlighted that Sinai Governorate holds a special place in all our hearts and its development is a matter of national security for the Egyptian state.
The Minister pointed out that the Development Clusters Project involved the establishment of 18 integrated clusters comprising residential, agricultural, and service units, including schools, health units, mosques, commercial complexes, and sports fields, in addition to the reclamation of vast agricultural lands and the utilization of human energies in productive projects that contribute to creating new communities that are attractive to residents and job opportunities.
For his part, Mr. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, reaffirmed that the issue of development in the Sinai Peninsula is at the forefront of the political leadership's priorities, stressing that the region is currently witnessing "unprecedented development and giant projects" that have succeeded in integrating its people into the development system and providing thousands of job opportunities. He pointed out that agricultural development in Sinai represents a fundamental pillar within the "National Strategy for Agricultural Development 2030," which aims to expand the agricultural area across the republic to boost Egypt's ability to achieve food security for its people.
Farouk noted that the Integrated Developmental Services Agricultural Center in El-Qaa Plain, and similar centers, are considered integrated "agricultural development radiance centers," whose mission is not limited to agriculture but extends to providing all services to the new communities.
He affirmed that the goal of establishing these clusters is to build a new integrated agricultural community based on the latest agricultural systems, aiming to achieve the highest possible productivity from the unit of land and water, while committing to preserving natural resources and ensuring the realization of the principle of sustainable development.
He also stressed the Egyptian state's keenness to support farmers in these clusters, providing them with all facilities, as well as intensive technical and extension support.
Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Minister of Religious Endowments, stated that the integrated development projects Egypt is witnessing in various fields reflect the Egyptian state's vision for building both the human and the place together. He confirmed that advocacy (Da'wa) and developmental work are two facets of one message aimed at serving the nation and uplifting the human being.
He added that the Developmental Services Center in El-Qaa Plain represents an exemplary model for linking science and work, advocacy and development, faith and production, noting that the Ministry of Awqaf seeks to utilize all its scientific and advocacy tools to support these national efforts that serve the citizens in their lived reality.
He noted that participation in the intellectual meeting for the beneficiaries of the agricultural clusters project comes within the framework of expanding the scope of religious discourse to include issues of development, production, work, and construction, so that the religious discourse becomes a catalyst for reconstruction and production, and not merely a theoretical sermon.
He also stressed that the current stage requires a comprehensive awareness that combines enlightened thought and serious work, commending the efforts of the concerned ministries, research centers, and the banking sector in supporting development projects in South Sinai, especially those that contribute to achieving food security and improving the quality of life for citizens.
He highlighted that the Ministry of Religious Endowments is continuing to fulfill its advocacy, intellectual, and developmental mission, side by side with state institutions, in support of the building and development process led by H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic.
During his speech, Major General Hisham Fathi Shendy (Commander of East Canal Counter-Terrorism Forces) highlighted the efforts exerted to maintain the security and stability of the Sinai Peninsula.
The Commander of East Canal Counter-Terrorism Forces reaffirmed that the political leadership, headed by H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, attaches great importance to Sinai, where joint efforts are currently underway between the ministers to achieve the leadership's vision in preserving food security, which is an integral part of Egyptian national security.
He also pointed out that the Egyptian state has implemented more than 1,016 development projects in Sinai, as part of an integrated plan aimed at developing the region and enhancing its infrastructure.
The Commander of East Canal Counter-Terrorism Forces also extended thanks and appreciation to the Minister of Agriculture for the effective role in providing development projects for the benefit of citizens in Sinai, which had a significant impact in attracting investors and citizens, contributing to the completion of the state's comprehensive development plan.
He concluded his message with a special tribute to the honorable people of Sinai, who represent the first line of defense for the Egyptian state. He urged everyone to unite to preserve Egypt, in order to remain strong and proud because it is protected by the grace of Allah the Almighty and the wise leadership of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (Long Live Egypt).
On the sidelines of the visit, an open meeting was held with a number of beneficiaries of the various agricultural and development clusters. A ceremony was also held to hand over a number of development and agricultural projects, funded within the joint initiative between the Ministry of Agriculture, represented by the Desert Research Center, and QNB Alahli, to 40 farmers, in the presence of Mohamed Bedeir, CEO of QNB Alahli.
Bedeir expressed his pride in the partnership with the Desert Research Center in supporting the state's efforts towards sustainable agricultural development, empowering rural women, and promoting financial inclusion in the most needy areas.
He pointed out that this initiative embodies the bank's belief that real development begins with empowering the individual in their local environment and creating sustainable production opportunities that contribute to achieving Egypt's Vision 2030.
He reiterated the bank's commitment to ensuring that its community initiatives are based on partnership and integration between the banking, research, and governmental sectors, thereby guaranteeing a real and sustainable impact that aligns with the state's goals for rural development and the empowerment of local communities.
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