Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat discussed on Tuesday with Leslie Reed, the Mission Director of USAID Egypt, the joint cooperation portfolio and progress in ongoing projects across sectors. During their meeting, the two sides also discussed the strategy of development cooperation between Egypt and the United States over five years (2021- 2025). Al-Mashat reviewed the results of meetings that took place at the technical level regarding areas of joint cooperation and the inclusion of the private sector in development efforts -- all within the framework of the government of Egypt's development priorities. She applauded the role played by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Egypt office in facilitating discussions with USAID in Washington to explore new areas that can boost the private sector's engagement in the country. Al-Mashat shed light on two working groups of the ministry and the USAID for international development within the framework of strengthening partnerships for empowering women. Partnerships that are yet to be agreed on in the current year were also discussed, including education, higher education, trade, investment, and health sectors. The minister hailed the strategic cooperation between Egypt and the United States through the USAID, focusing on the advancement of efforts to achieve development within the framework of the country's priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "In the coming period, cooperation will help accelerate the pace of development to achieve a resilient and sustainable recovery," said Al-Mashat. On her side, Reed expressed her appreciation of the Egyptian government's efforts in pushing forward sustainable recovery. She also applauded the role played by the Ministry of International Cooperation in ensuring transformative change in development and in setting a clear trajectory for international partnerships. The partnership between Egypt and the USAID dates back to 1978, and the total development cooperation portfolio amounts to over $30 billion covering various sectors that represent development priorities for Egypt's government, including health, population, education, and employment. In 2020, the Ministry of International Cooperation signed with the USAID seven grant agreements worth $112.5 million to develop the country's priority sectors. The results of these agreements would be reflected in the improvement of the people's livelihoods. In October, President of the USAID John Barsa paid a visit to Egypt, his first to MENA region since assuming his role as the USAID's Acting Administrator.
