Egypt has signed on Tuesday a C$10.7 million (US$8.4 million) grant with Canada for the Aswan Skills Development Project. The grant is part of the Canadian government programme to support developmental projects in Egypt through grants totalling C$50 million. The project is implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) and funded by the Canadian government, aiming to improve the livelihoods of 7,500 young men and women in Aswan City and Kom Ombo District by improving employment and employability in the areas of solar energy, agribusiness, and nursing. Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Sahar Nasr and Ministry of Industry Tarek Qabil have signed the grant agreement with Troy Lulashnyk, Canada's Ambassador to Egypt Canada Supports Youth Employment in Egypt through Skills Development in Aswan The project will be implemented in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation Egypt, Om Habibah Foundation, Aswan University, Aswan governorate, Egyptian Ministry of Manpower, Seneca College, Camosun College and other key local partners. It builds on the lessons learned of a successful project which was implemented by the AKFC and funded by Canada at Darb Al Ahmar entitled Cairo Economic Livelihoods Project (2008 – 2014). Signing the grant is part of Canada's efforts to support Egypt's economic growth, as outlined in the Egyptian government's Vision 2030 development plan. The project contributes to increase employment generation in Egypt by helping youth become marketable and improve prospects for employment and employability, improve job creation opportunities i.e. self-employment and entrepreneurship, and improve performance of labour market stakeholders in Aswan City and Kom Ombo District.
