Economic co-operation between Egypt and Netherlands featured high on the agenda of a ministerial meeting on Tuesday.
Minister of International Co-operation Rania el-Mashat met with Netherlands Ambassador in Cairo Han-Maurits Schaapveld to follow up on national development projects being executed between the two countries.
The meeting came within the framework of periodic gatherings with multilateral and bilateral development partners, to discuss ways of strengthening joint co-operation with the purpose of advancing Egypt Vision 2030, through development financing agreements and accelerating the implementation of the sustainable development goals.
During the meeting, el-Mashat and the Dutch envoy reviewed development finance agreements with Cairo to boost joint action frameworks to achieve sustainable development.
The two sides discussed co-operation in trade, investment, maritime transport, food processing, water management, agriculture and vocational education.
They reviewed the positive indicators of the Egyptian economy recently, as well as promising opportunities for investment in Egypt, especially in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and major national projects being carried out by the state.
The Dutch envoy affirmed keenness to develop and deepen bilateral co-operation with Egypt at all political, commercial, investment and cultural levels.
Schaapveld pointed out that the Netherlands supported the implementation of a number of projects by the World Food Programme in co-operation with national bodies in Upper Egypt.
He said that the Netherlands was looking forward to supporting the private sector in Egypt through working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The Dutch envoy said Egypt is a successful partner in development, describing ties binding Cairo and Amsterdam as “deeply rooted and historic”.
Egypt and the Netherlands have enjoyed good joint economic co-operation relations since 1975 through technical and financial agreements.
The volume of co-operation portfolio between the two sides stood at €348 million to fund projects in agriculture, irrigation, industry and health.