Egypt's Minister of State for Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates' Affairs, Nabila Makram, asserted, on Sunday, the need to activate joint cooperation with African countries to address issues of migration. Makram's remarks came during her meeting with the UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission in Egypt Laurent De Boeck. During the meeting, the two discussed ways to enhance cooperation between Egypt and the IOM. The minister discussed ways to enhance cooperation with the IOM in order to conduct integrated research on the requirements of African markets to create job opportunities. Makram also reviewed her ministry's efforts to combat illegal immigration under the "Survival Boats Initiative". She also looked at her ministry's efforts in finding suitable job opportunities for Egyptian workers who had to return from abroad due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. She affirmed the need to cooperate with the IOM to regionally and globally prepare for the post-pandemic phase, indicating that this phase requires training youth who wish to migrate. Moreover, De Boeck lauded the Ministry of Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs' efforts to enhance its cooperation with the IOM, which will enhance Egypt's image in the field. He has also reviewed his organisation's efforts in the field of migration, noting that the IOM will launch a workshop on entrepreneurship to train and qualify Egyptian youth. The workshop is funded by the Italian government.
