Mashro'ak, a national project for community, human, and local development, has financed 208,200 projects with EGP 27.2bn since its launch in April 2015 until October 2023. These projects have created more than 1.7 million jobs in all governorates. Hisham Amna, the Minister of Local Development, presented a report on the achievements of Mashro'ak and its contribution to the development of small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) in Egypt. He praised President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's support for the SMMEs sector and his directives to overcome any challenges facing the youth. The minister said that the ministry is keen on empowering the youth to implement small projects, as they are the most active and numerous segment of society and a vital economic force for comprehensive development. He added that the staff of Mashro'ak units are trained by the Local Development Training Center in Saqqara on the basics of banking finance, the advantages of each of the six banks they work with, and the concepts of SMMEs. He also mentioned that several seminars, promotional programs, and exhibitions have been held to raise awareness and market the products of Mashro'ak clients. Amna stressed that Mashro'ak aims to develop investment projects and SMMEs by training youth on how to solve their problems, exploit their resources, and become "new small investors". He said that Mashro'ak also seeks to combat internal migration, develop communities within the governorates and centers, enhance the youth's connection to the state and their belonging to the homeland, reduce unemployment and poverty rates, and create new job opportunities for the residents. He said that Mashro'ak provides the necessary funding for various projects that align with Egypt's 2030 vision. Amna directed those in charge of "Mashro'ak" to focus on marketing these projects and marketing the products through exhibitions and in coordination with the electronic Ayadi Masr platform affiliated with the ministry for its serious and effective contribution to projects on a wide scale and utilizing the products of the projects. He pointed out the importance of introducing citizens in centers, cities, neighborhoods, and villages to this platform and its importance in marketing products and providing sustainable employment opportunities to confront unemployment among both genders and female breadwinners in various governorates. The Minister of Local Development added that comprehensive community development cannot be achieved except through the contribution of all segments of society, especially youth, in all developmental, economic, social, and cultural efforts to provide a decent life through hard work. He explained that small and medium projects are characterized by their ability to employ semi-skilled and unskilled labor, as well as providing an opportunity for training during work to enhance capacities and skills. Additionally, the risk percentage is lower compared to large projects, and they also contribute to improving productivity and generating and increasing income.
