Egyptian Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, has held a series of bilateral meetings with international officials on the sidelines of the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting in South Africa. The discussions focused on the outcomes of the G20 meeting and the recent Seville conference on financing for development, as well as the future of bilateral economic relations in light of Egypt's national priorities, the ministry said in a statement.
Al-Mashat met with delegations from France, Canada, Singapore, Spain, Japan, South Korea, and Portugal, as well as the heads of several international organizations, including the World Food Programme (WFP), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
During the meetings, the minister discussed the need to restructure the global financial system to overcome development financing challenges, especially in developing and emerging economies.
With French Minister of State, Thani Mohamed Soilihi, Al-Mashat discussed the significant progress in bilateral relations, particularly following the elevation of ties with the EU to a strategic partnership. They touched on French investments in Egypt and development cooperation in sectors like transport, energy, and education.
In a meeting with Canada's Minister of International Development, Randeep Sarai, Al-Mashat expressed her desire to strengthen cooperation, especially in economic empowerment, climate action, and human development. She noted the previous successful collaboration with now-Prime Minister Mark Carney through Egypt's NWFE programme.
Al-Mashat and Singapore's Senior Minister of State, Sim Ann, discussed enhancing cooperation in trade, education, and culture, building on over 60 years of diplomatic relations.
The minister also met with the director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Antón Leis Garcia, to discuss increasing development cooperation in line with global financial system reforms.
Talks with Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hisashi Matsumoto, focused on expanding ties, including financing more projects and increasing funding for the private sector in Egypt. Al-Mashat praised Japan's role in supporting Egypt's development, including recent funding for private sector empowerment and the development of the Cairo Opera House.
With South Korea's Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs, Kwoun Ki-hwan, Al-Mashat discussed the strategic development cooperation partnership, which has financed numerous projects. She expressed her hope to expand relations to include more areas of investment and technology exchange.
Al-Mashat and Portugal's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ana Isabel Xavier, discussed expanding cooperation to increase investment in priority sectors like industry, renewable energy, and information technology.
The minister also met with the heads of several international organisations. With WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain, she discussed joint efforts to enhance food security through the programme's 2023-2028 country strategy for Egypt. They also reviewed the WFP's participation in Egypt's debt-swap initiatives.
In her meeting with OECD Deputy Secretary-General Mary Beth Goodman, Al-Mashat discussed the progress of the OECD's country programme for Egypt, which focuses on inclusive economic growth, innovation, governance, statistics, and sustainable development.
Discussions with IFAD President Alvaro Lario covered the partnership to support agricultural and rural development and mobilise international partners for food projects under the NWFE platform.
Finally, Al-Mashat met with UNIDO's Director for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, Cecilia Ugaz Estrada, to discuss joint efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Egypt's industrial sector.
