Egypt's Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) has provided 11.9 billion Egyptian pounds in financing for small and micro enterprises, infrastructure, and community development projects in Northern Upper Egypt between July 2014 and December 2024. According to the cabinet statement, the funding, directed to Minya, Fayoum, and Beni Suef, has created 826,300 jobs and supported millions of temporary employment opportunities for irregular workers. Minya received the largest share of the financing among the three governorates. Over the past decade, MSMEDA has also secured funding from international development partners for infrastructure projects in the region, generating 7.9 million workdays. The projects, selected based on local needs and implemented with a labour-intensive approach, have provided thousands of job opportunities for irregular workers. In addition, MSMEDA's one-stop shops in the governorates have issued around 21,000 business licences and facilitated the formalisation of informal enterprises. More than 15,000 classification and benefits certificates have been issued under Law 152/2020 to help businesses access incentives. In light of these efforts, MSMEDA CEO Bassel Rahmi reaffirmed the agency's commitment to supporting small and micro enterprises, empowering entrepreneurs, and driving sustainable development across Northern Upper Egypt. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
