Means of boosting co-operation and attracting international investment to Egypt’s agricultural sector featured high on the agenda of major discussions held on Thursday.
Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ahmed Rustum, had the talks with Mesky Brhane, the World Bank’s Regional Director for Sustainable Development in the Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP), and an accompanying delegation,
The Egyptian government is advancing a comprehensive development agenda centered on strategic sectors such as agriculture, digital transformation, and infrastructure to drive economic growth, Minister Rustum told the WB delegaton.
He also highlighted the ongoing efforts to expand public-private partnerships (PPP), particularly in developing aggregation and cooling centers and logistics services in Upper Egypt, aiming at reducing agricultural losses caused by climate change and outdated storage methods.
The minister also outlined plans to integrate smart agricultural advisory systems, satellite monitoring, and expanded agricultural insurance programs to support farmers and enhance resilience against climate challenges.
The discussions further explored activating the global AgriConnect program to strengthen value chains, boost competitiveness of national products, and promote high-value agro-industries through innovative financing mechanisms.
For her part, Brhane commended Egypt’s remarkable progress in agricultural production and the surge in exports to global markets.
She also stressed the importance of continuing to focus on agro-industrial development and value chain enhancement. She noted that these efforts hold significant potential for generating sustainable rural employment and maximising economic returns.
