Switzerland, Egypt sign joint declaration worth 1.5 bln Pounds
Egypt and Switzerland signed a joint declaration worth 1.5 billion Egyptian pounds CHF 86 million, including the new cooperation strategy of the Swiss side in Egypt for 2017-2020.
The renew in cooperation between Egypt and Switzerland aims to achieve sustainable development goals in Egypt.
The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Dr. Sahar Nasr, while the Swiss government and the State Secretary for Economic Affairs Ms. Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch.
The Minister indicated that the signing would positively affect Egyptian citizens in light of present and future economic and social changes with a view to implement and complete the implementation of the economic reform program.
She also highlighted the high importance of the strategy and its alignment with needs of the Egyptian society due to its keenness on several fields that would improve standards of living, topped by economic growth. The Minister also emphasized the significance of the Swiss side’s interest in developing relations with Egypt on both social and economic levels.
Key projects implemented by both countries were further referred to by the Minister in addition to ongoing projects, topped by the Hospitals’ Hazardous Waste Management Project worth CHF 9.2 million in Dakahlia Governorate, the Electronic Waste Management Project worth CHF 1.17 million, the National Solid Waste Management Program (NSWMP) worth CHF 10 million.
In addition to, the second phase of the Water and Sanitation Services Improvement Program worth EUR 13 million in the governorates of Qena, Sohag, Assuit and Minia in collaboration with several European development partners.
On her part, Ineichen-Fleisch reiterated that creating job opportunities for Egyptians and improving their lives topped the Swiss priorities.
She pointed out that the Swiss funds in Egypt served millions of citizens and the Swiss development of the National Center for Blood Transfusion provided half a million citizens with safe blood transfusion services. She also explained that the Swiss infrastructure projects in Egypt contributed to providing half a million citizens with clean water and sanitation services and that 1.8 million citizens benefited from services provided by the X-ray detection centers. The Swiss government provided approximately 45 thousand refugees in Egypt with humanitarian aid.
In addition, Ineichen-Fleisch reiterated the Swiss keenness on maintaining cooperation through the new strategy.
Furthermore, discussions were held between both officials with regard to the Egyptian-Swiss partnership, besides supporting future cooperation and enhancing social and economic development.
