Egypt has implemented 5,633 projects under the Upper Egypt Local Development Programme (UELDP) over the past seven years, with investments exceeding 27.05 billion Egyptian pounds. The projects span key sectors, including drinking water, sanitation, electricity, roads, and urban development, aiming to enhance infrastructure and improve living standards. Minister of Local Development Manal Awad highlighted these achievements during a meeting with a World Bank delegation, reaffirming the ministry's commitment to advancing decentralisation and urban sustainability. The World Bank has been a key partner in the programme, which has also focused on boosting economic development and attracting investment. 0Assistant Minister for National Projects Hesham El-Helbawy noted that the business environment in Sohag and Qena improved by 22.5 per cent, while Minya and Assiut saw a 26.3 per cent enhancement, leading to the creation of 369,000 jobs. The programme has also developed infrastructure for four industrial zones, increasing occupancy rates by 44 per cent. Additionally, 45 technology centres have been established, cutting licensing and service processing times by up to 60 per cent, strengthening local governance and public trust. The government aims to sustain these efforts, with Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouly supporting measures to accelerate infrastructure projects and improve the local investment climate. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
