US International Development Agency (USAID) has decided to increase its aid allocation for Egypt by 20 percent, driving it up to US$250 million. It also plans to restructure its implementation system in order to increase efficiency. USAID's new director for its Cairo mission, James A. Bever, said the US is currently considering new innovative ideas in cooperation with the Egyptian government and independent institutions. A new chapter in aid provision is about to start, he added. Bever said a congressional initiative precipitated the aid increase, and the agency has asked the US administration to stick to the new rate for the near future. Bever dismissed accusations that the aid is used as a tool for political pressure on Egypt, arguing that this was never the case even during the term of former US President George W. Bush. Speaking about the agency's role in monitoring the upcoming elections, Bever said: "We support civilian organizations in providing local, not foreign, observers," adding that hiring Egyptian diplomats will ensure that monitors are both Egyptian and international. Bever stressed the importance of monitor impartiality, and said that even the US relies on international overseers from both developed and developing countries. "We are starting a new chapter in development cooperation with Egypt, which is inspired by President Obama's strategy of binding aid with mutual respect and common objectives," Bever maintained. As for incidents of squandering and diversion of aid money, whereby a large portion of it is spent on hiring American employees--diminishing the intended benefit for the target society--Bever replied that it is normal to make mistakes, noting a US congressional expenditure report on agency-funded projects. He added that the USAID work will rely in the coming period on Egyptian expertise and instruments to ensure that Egypt benefits from a variety of support. Bever also expressed US readiness to fully cooperate with Egypt on water issues. "Egypt is facing a great challenge in water use, given its growing population and insufficient supply of Nile waters," he said. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
