Egypt's Rural and Environmental Industries Support Fund (REIS), an arm of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, signed Sunday a cooperation protocol with Banque Misr to digitise financial transactions for fund beneficiaries to advance economic empowerment and financial inclusion. According to a ministry statement, the agreement targets low‐income families and Takaful and Karama cash‐transfer recipients, enabling them to manage savings, investments, and stable incomes through digital channels. It also aims to expand access to financing, promote entrepreneurship, and deliver advanced financial inclusion products tailored to rural communities. Under the deal, REIS and the Banque Misr will simplify access to banking services, provide entrepreneurship and financial literacy training, and promote competitive digital banking solutions, including mobile wallets and prepaid cards. Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsy said the protocol supports the state's poverty‐alleviation strategy, noting that Takaful and Karama has served 7.7 million families over the past ten years, with 3 million exiting the programme. Banque Misr CEO Hisham Okasha called the protocol a "qualitative leap" towards inclusive development, adding that it harnesses technology to widen access to efficient, affordable financial services for vulnerable groups. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
