Planning Ministry prioritises Upper Egypt development under coherent, integrated programme

Development efforts target strong development push for promising areas to exploit existing opportunities, provide more job opportunities for youth

Egypt's Ministry of Planning and Economic Development has said that the country's sustainable development plan for fiscal year (FY) 2020/21 has attached great importance to the development of Upper Egypt.
This comes with the aim of ensuring real, tangible, and rapid development that is reflected in improving the quality of life of the region's residents, and providing decent living opportunities.
In a report published by the ministry, it was noted that potential development efforts focus on three areas. This includes giving advanced priority to the development of Upper Egypt's governorates as part of a coherent and integrated development programme.
The efforts also include focusing on rural areas most in need, to narrow development gaps and reduce migration flows to urban areas. At the same time, the development efforts also seek to provide a strong development push for promising areas to exploit existing opportunities and provide more job opportunities for youth.
The report pointed out that the volume of government investments directed to Upper Egypt's governorates between 2018 and 2021 amounted to EGP 104bn compared to the three previous years, reflecting a growth rate of about 27%.
There are now 392 development projects in Assiut Governorate, with public investments directed to the governorate in the FY 2020/21 plan amounting to EGP 7.1bn, reflecting an increase of 16%.
The number of development projects in Luxor Governorate now stands at 174 projects, with EGP 2.66bn in public investments directed to the governorate in the FY 2020/21 plan.
In the Fayoum Governorate, the report indicated that there are now 191 development projects, with EGP 2.9bn in public investments directed to the governorate in the FY 2020/21 plan. This reflects an increase of 38% from the previous year.
Minya Governorate is hosting 327 development projects, with the value of public investments in the FY 2020/21 plan amounting to EGP 4.1bn, an increase of 10.8% over the FY 2019/20 plan.
The ministry's report pointed out that Beni Suef Governorate is home to 290 development projects, and has been allocated EGP 3.9bn in public investments in the FY 2020/21 plan. This is an increase of 139% over the plan for FY 2019/20.
Meanwhile, Qena Governorate has 323 development projects, and received EGP 6.6bn in public investments in the FY 2020/21 plan, a 59% increase over the previous year's plan.
With regard to Aswan Governorate, there are now 273 development projects in the governorate, which has been allocated EGP 6.9bn in public investments in the FY 2020/21 plan, an increase of 73% over the previous year. Sohag Governorate has received EGP 5.8bn in the FY 2020/21 plan, up by 48.7% over the FY 2019/20 plan.