World Bank proposes Egypt join new global health initiative
The proposal was made during a meeting between Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, and the World Bank's Regional Director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti, Stephane Guimbert.
According to a ministry statement, Guimbert presented an overview of a new World Bank-led global health initiative that aims to expand basic health coverage to an additional 1.5 billion people in middle- and low-income countries. He raised the idea of Egypt joining as a key participant, citing the country's significant progress in health sector reforms, particularly the implementation of its Universal Health Insurance system, which is one of the largest social protection projects in the region.
For her part, Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of the partnership with the World Bank Group as a 'knowledge partner' to the Egyptian government. She highlighted joint efforts to develop a comprehensive implementation plan to achieve economic development, support macroeconomic stability, promote industrial development, mobilise foreign direct investment (FDI), and increase investment in human capital.
The minister also outlined the government's national narrative for economic development, a framework which she said aims to create a unified development discourse. Its pillars include preparing a National Strategy for Industrial Development to increase exports, enhancing the value-added of manufacturing, expanding the green economy's contribution to GDP, and promoting investment in human capital.
The meeting also covered updates on the World Bank's existing portfolio in Egypt, including the Universal Health Insurance Project, the Sustainable Rural Sanitation Services Programme, the Takaful and Karama social safety net programme, the Upper Egypt Local Development Program, and the Cairo-Alexandria Trade Logistics Development Project.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egyptian FM Abdelatty concludes West Africa tour in Senegal - Foreign Affairs
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty headed on Thursday to Senegal, the fifth and final stop on his West African tour. Minister Abdelatty is scheduled to hold official talks with senior Senegalese officials and meet with representatives from both the government and the private sector, according to a foreign ministry statement. Discussions will focus on deepening bilateral cooperation in the economy, investment, and infrastructure, as well as exploring opportunities for Senegal to benefit from Egyptian expertise in training and capacity building. The visit will also address joint coordination on pressing regional issues, particularly security in the Sahel region and counter-terrorism efforts, the statement noted. Additionally, the ministers will discuss mechanisms to bolster joint African action within the framework of the African Union and other relevant regional organizations. The visit follows Abdelatty's stop in Mali, the fourth leg of his tour, which has also included Niger, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso. The trip comes after Egypt participated in the 47th Ordinary Session of the African Union's Executive Council earlier this month. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily News Egypt
2 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's FM delivers Al-Sisi message to Niger's leader, seeks deeper security ties
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Niger's leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, in Niamey on Wednesday and delivered a written message from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi aimed at strengthening security and economic ties, Egypt's foreign ministry said. In a statement, the ministry said Abdelatty's visit came as part of a push to enhance cooperation, with the minister conveying Sisi's greetings and stressing that the trip was aimed at supporting Niger based on the historical ties between the two nations. Abdelatty highlighted the strategic importance of Niger's stability for Egypt's national security, describing the Sahel region as a 'natural extension of Egypt's strategic neighbourhood.' He said that growing terrorist threats and the spread of armed groups across the continent necessitated enhanced security cooperation and the exchange of expertise between Egypt and Niger. The talks also focused on expanding economic partnerships. The foreign minister noted that he was accompanied by a high-level delegation of 30 Egyptian business leaders to participate in the first Egyptian-Nigerien Business Forum. The forum aims to boost economic, trade, and investment cooperation, particularly in the energy, infrastructure, construction, and mining sectors. The statement said the discussions covered existing cooperation in combating terrorism and extremist ideology. Abdelatty highlighted the role of Cairo-based institutions, including Al-Azhar, which provides training for Nigerian imams and scholarships for students, as well as the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution and the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development (EAPD), which offer capacity-building programmes for Nigerian personnel. For his part, President Tchiani asked Abdelatty to convey his greetings and appreciation to President Sisi, expressing his country's gratitude for Egypt's support in facing its security and development challenges. He also praised Egypt's leading regional and international role and the support provided by Al-Azhar in religious education. The two officials also discussed regional issues, including developments in the Sahel and West Africa and the security challenges posed by the spread of terrorist organisations.
Daily News Egypt
2 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egyptian-Malian Business Forum pushes for economic partnerships with Mali during FM's visit
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Thursday opened the Egyptian-Malian Business Forum in Bamako, a move aimed at boosting economic and trade partnerships, with Abdelatty saying Cairo is keen to invest in Mali's key sectors. The forum was attended by a high-level Malian delegation, including Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop and Minister of Industry and Commerce Moussa Al-Hassan Diallo, as well as a large Egyptian business delegation of 30 company heads and representatives. The Egyptian delegation included representatives from the Federation of Egyptian Industries, the Export Council for Medical Industries, the Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development Agency, the Egyptian Exporters Association, the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, and the Mineral Resources Authority. In his opening remarks, Abdelatty said the Egyptian-Malian Business Forum represented a 'new and important station' in strengthening economic ties and opened 'unprecedented horizons' for the private sectors in both countries to develop partnerships. He said the event was a key step in institutional cooperation, with work underway to establish an Egyptian-Malian business council. Abdelatty expressed Egypt's serious desire to expand its investments in Mali, especially in priority sectors for the Malian government such as textiles, wood, and pharmaceuticals, in line with Mali's national development plans, including its 'Mali Kura 2063' vision. He highlighted that Egypt possesses extensive experience in implementing strategic projects in infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and communications. For his part, Malian Minister of Industry and Commerce Moussa Al-Hassan Diallo said his government places 'special importance' on cooperation with Egypt and praised its experience in supporting development on the African continent. He said Mali looks forward to benefiting from Egypt's expertise in infrastructure, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and energy, adding that the forum 'embodies the joint political will to elevate the level of economic and investment cooperation.' Abdelatty also affirmed Egypt's security partnership with Mali, stressing the importance of a comprehensive approach that links security and development to achieve sustainable peace. The forum is a key event in Abdelatty's multi-nation tour of West Africa, which is aimed at strengthening Egypt's political and economic ties with the region.
