Mohamed Abou El-Saoud, CEO of the Agricultural Bank of Egypt (ABE), met with Jacqueline Azar, Governor of Beheira, during a visit to the governorate as part of an executive tour across the Delta. The tour aims to strengthen cooperation and build strategic partnerships with local authorities, reaffirming the Bank's national role as one of the largest institutions specialised in financing the agricultural sector and its related activities, and supporting agricultural and rural development. During the meeting, Governor Azar affirmed her full support for deepening the longstanding partnership between Beheira and ABE, describing the Bank as a key pillar in supporting farmers, financing small and medium-sized enterprises, and developing the agricultural system in a manner that aligns with comprehensive development plans. She stressed that cooperation with ABE seeks to expand banking and agricultural services for Beheira residents in line with the state's strategy to empower farmers and advance the agricultural sector. For his part, Abou El-Saoud reiterated the Bank's commitment to providing a full range of financing programmes to support agricultural and rural development, including expanded financing for all production activities linked to the sector. These efforts aim to enhance the productive capacity of small farmers and provide comprehensive support to major investors and producers engaged in large-scale agricultural and industrial projects, in line with Egypt's Vision 2030 and its sustainable development goals. He noted that the coming period will see particular focus on simplifying agricultural loan procedures to support small farmers and providing the necessary financing for the purchase of agricultural equipment and machinery. The Bank will also encourage farmers to adopt modern irrigation systems through tailored financing programmes, which he said will boost production efficiency, reduce operating costs, and maximise returns from agricultural activity. Abou El-Saoud further highlighted ABE's social responsibility role, particularly in supporting vulnerable families and priority groups in "Haya Karima" villages within the governorate, in line with national directives to improve living standards in rural communities. In the same context, the ABE CEO also met with Tarek Marzouk, Governor of Daqahleya. Marzouk emphasised that cooperation with the Agricultural Bank of Egypt is a fundamental pillar for stimulating investment in the agricultural sector and directing farmers towards accessible financing and modern banking services. This, he said, contributes to increasing production and improving the efficiency of the food-security system. He added that the coming period will see expanded coordination with the Bank to provide financing packages for small farmers and funding programmes to support young people in productive villages, in line with the political leadership's directives to strengthen rural development and raise living standards.
