Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ahmed Rostom, Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Office in Cairo, Eric Oechslin, have discussed means to further enhance bilateral co-operation in fields of development, foremost of which creating decent job opportunities, developing skills, and supporting startups.
During the meeting, Minister Rostom affirmed the solid partnership between the two sides ILO, which is based on a vision aiming at driving economic growth and generating sustainable employment opportunities in partnership with the private sector, thereby contributing to improving citizens’ living standards and achieving comprehensive development, the ministry said in a statement.
In addition, Rostom explained that geopolitical challenges and the uncertainty affecting emerging economies are creating pressures that require a flexible and proactive approach.
In this context, he stressed the government’s continued implementation of its reform programme, which is based on strengthening “economic resilience” and the ability to adapt to shocks, drawing on lessons learned from previous global crises.
The state prioritises ensuring economic stability and supporting the agriculture and industrial sectors, while adopting proactive measures to address inflation and secure access to essential resources, he said.
The state is also keen to study best international practices to enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy, emphasising that the private sector remains a key pillar in achieving this stability, he noted.
For his part, the ILO official lauded the measures which Egyptian government has taken to mitigate the impact of ongoing global and regional crises, noting that these steps reflect the state’s commitment to protecting citizens and maintaining labor market stability.
Oechslin reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to carrying on with supporting Egypt’s national employment plans through strategic partnerships focused on youth inclusion, entrepreneurship support, and the development of employment policies, with special attention to “green jobs” and digital transformation to meet the needs of the Egyptian economy and keep pace with global changes.
