Egyptian parliament ratified three decisions taken by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi related to deals worth $92.5 million signed by the International Cooperation Ministry with development partners, said minister Rania Al-Mashat on Sunday. The approvals cover the deal between Egypt and the French Development Agency to develop Line 1 of the Cairo Metro, besides an presidential decree approving an aid grant deal between Egypt and U.S. regarding the Egyptian-American Higher Education Initiative, besides presidential decree approving a Canadian grant to close gaps in sexual and reproductive health rights. The first deal comes within the framework of the Global Partnerships for Effective Development Cooperation multi-stakeholder platform launched in April 2020 that aims to strengthen partnerships to accelerate progress in development and create real impact on citizen's lives. The partnerships include the contribution of the French Development Agency, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and European Investment Bank (EIB) in the financing of the project executed by the National Authority for Tunnels, Al-Mashat added. "As the population is constantly increasing, and there is a greater need to create more job opportunities and bring prosperity through resilient and upgraded infrastructure, the project aims to rehabilitate and modernise Line 1 of Cairo Metr that extends from the new Al-Marg Station in the north to Helwan Station in the south, linking it to the second and third lines of the subway," she said. The deal contributes to the achievement of four Sustainable Development Goals; namely, Goal 8 for dignified work; Goal 9 for industry, innovation and infrastructure; Goal 11 for sustainable cities and societies; and Goal 17 related to partnerships for the achievement of these goals. Under the aid grant deal, the minister said $30 million will be directed towards developing higher education to create an educated workforce that meets the needs of the labour market and to strengthen the capacity of Egyptian higher education institutions. As for the Canadian grant, to close gaps in reproductive health and rights in Egypt, the grant comes with support from the UN Population Fund under the name "Addressing gaps in reproductive health and rights in Egypt," to support women's reproductive and health rights by increasing their awareness on family planning and increase their access to health services. The deal is worth 14 million Canadian dollars, and is implemented in partnership with the ministries of health and population and youth and sports.
