Egypt's Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali met with World Bank's Vice President for Human Development Annette Dixon. In a press statement on Friday, the Ministry of Social Solidarity said the two sides mulled Egypt's priorities regarding the human development file. The minister reviewed Egypt's efforts in implementing social protection programs, provide job opportunities and invest in human capital. Dixon affirmed the WB's keenness on supporting Egypt in expanding its social protection programs that invest in people through conditional schooling and health programs, stressing the importance of focusing on the early childhood stage in terms of nutrition and enrollment in nurseries, which will help serve children's mental growth and personality development. The World Bank currently has a portfolio of 16 projects in Egypt with a total commitment of $6.69 billion. They have been a key backer of the country's 2015 implemented Takaful and Karama programme, a social safety programme aimed to aid millions of Egyptians against austerity measures under its 2014 embared economic reform programme.
