The Ministry of Social Solidarity cooperates with the Italian embassy in Cairo to develop the skills of Egyptian youth, especially in low-income areas, Nevine El-Kabbaj, Minister of Social Solidarity, told Daily News Egypt. Last week, El-Kabbaj and Italian ambassador in Cairo Giampaolo Cantini visited Al-Wadi Al-Gedid governorate. During the visit, both sides inaugurated a specialised centre for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities, the minister said, noting that Egypt announced 2019 was the year of supporting people with disabilities as a start of a long term plan to better incorporate them into the economy. The minister said that Egypt's economic relations with Italy are excellent, noting, "we aim at building even more professional relations with international partners. We are keen on benefitting from the international expertise more so than the financial assistance." An Italian delegation of about 15 companies visited Egypt in December 2019, where they held several meetings with senior Egyptian officials and private sector representatives for four days. About nine economic agreements were signed during the visit which reassures the high potential of boosting economic cooperation. Italy withdrew its ambassador to Egypt Maurizio Massari on 8 April 2016 after the murder of Giulio Regeni, who, at the time, conducted critical academic research on Egyptian labour rights and trade unions. Italy returned its ambassador to Egypt after evidence proved Egypt's good standing. Furthermore, the Ministry of Social Solidarity encourages low-income families to work instead of depending on cash subsidies, El-Kabbaj said, noting, "along with Cantini, we announced 500 micro loans for the families in Al-Wadi Al-Gedid." The minister also visited fish farm projects, a number of greenhouses for young graduates, an exhibition of environmental and craftsmanship products, a porcelain factory, a ready-made garment factory, and a date complex. The minister asserted the government's keenness on developing the date industry in Al-Wadi Al-Gedid governorate, in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in light of the directives of the President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to expand the production of dates.
