CAIRO, Feb 11 (MENA) - Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli underlined the state's keenness on following up the implementation of the Upper Egypt Local Development Program (UELDP) in collaboration with international partners, topped by the World Bank.

He highlighted the program's effective role in promoting the sustainable development goals in the Upper Egypt governorates through projects aiming to improve the basic infrastructure and promote the business environment to lure investments, thus positively contributing to offering better services to citizens.

Madbouli made the remarks on Tuesday while chairing a meeting of the Higher Committee for the Management of the Local Development Program in Upper Egypt.

Ministers Kamel Wazir of Industry and Transport, Rania Mashat of International Cooperation and Manal Awad of Local Development attended the meeting alongside Sohag Governor Abdel Fattah Serag, Qena Governor Khaled Abdel Halim and a number of other top officials.

The premier said the program aligns with the state's interest in promoting the industrial sector, thus promoting competitiveness of the economic productive sectors in Upper Egypt governorates.

He referred to the Industry Ministry's efforts to develop industrial zones in Upper Egypt.

Meanwhile, Minister Mashat reviewed the ministry's efforts in coordination with international partners, especially the World Bank, concerning supporting projects implemented by various government bodies to develop Upper Egypt.

She said the program is a story of success of Egypt as it was listed on the United Nations platform and the World Bank considered it as a pioneering experience.

She said this fell within the framework of the state's tireless efforts to support the implementation of sustainable development and linking them with Egypt Vision 2030.

She noted that 8.2 million citizens benefitted from the program in Sohag and Qena governorates, 49% of them are women.

About 5,130 projects were established, thus contributing to creating 369,000 direct and indirect jobs in the two governorates, she added.

Meanwhile, Assistant Local Development Minister and UELDP director Hisham Helbawi said the World Bank thanked the Egyptian government for propping up the investment climate and promoting local economic development through an integrated model drawn up by the UELDP.

He reviewed providing the four industrial zones in Qena and Sohag with needed utilities in addition to linking them with economic blocs and industrial zones, therefore creating 120,000 jobs.

In 2017, the Government of Egypt (GOE) and the World Bank (WB) launched the Upper Egypt Local Development Program (UELPD), which piloted in Sohag & Qena Governorates. It has inspired further scaled-up state-owned actions to address sustainable and inclusive development. (MENA)
M N E/M O H