Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Co-operation Rania al-Mashat emphasised that the Egyptian-German Centre for Jobs, Migration, and Reintegration (EGC) represents a cornerstone of the close collaboration between Egypt, the EU, and Germany.
She described the EGC as a significant step towards achieving shared developmental goals, highlighting the robust partnership with Germany through debt swaps for development.
She noted that a €29 million debt swap agreement was signed at the end of 2024 to support resilience among crisis-affected populations and their host communities.
Al-Mashat, alongside Germany’s Ambassador to Egypt Jürgen Schulz, witnessed yesterday the signing of the 2nd phase of EGC project.
The centre, established in 2020 as the first of its kind in Egypt, plays a vital role in supporting young Egyptians by directing them toward training and job opportunities, al-Mashat said.
“This initiative helps curb irregular migration and facilitates the reintegration of Egyptians returning from abroad by providing comprehensive social and economic services, enabling them to resume normal and productive lives,” she added.
The minister also stressed that the project aligns with the government’s goals of developing human capital, a central pillar of Egypt’s Vision 2030. “It aims to prepare youth for the labour market through specialised training in priority sectors, consistent with governmental strategies to enhance youth capabilities and equip them with tools for professional success,” she said.
“The EGC project also serves as a launch pad for increasing investments in youth development, imparting the knowledge necessary to meet the labor market’s demands in key sectors such as education, health, technology, and innovation,” al-Mashat added.
She pointed to the implementation of several programmes aimed at curbing irregular migration, including a joint migration programme between the Egyptian government, the UN, and the EU. This programme operates under the “Joint Migrants and Refugees Platform”, established in November 2021 to identify and respond to the needs of migrants and refugees effectively.
The platform also enhances coordination among stakeholders in Egypt to provide comprehensive and efficient responses to these groups.
Al-Mashat referred to government initiatives addressing irregular migration, including the “National Strategy to Combat Irregular Migration” (2016–2026), developed in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This strategy seeks to enhance the economic and social opportunities for migrants and ensure the protection of vulnerable groups in Egypt.
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