USAID deputy director winds up visit to Egypt

CAIRO- Deputy Administrator of the USAID Paloma Adams-Allen reiterated on Thursday the US’s commitment to boosting social and economic development in Egypt through the projects carried out by the agency in co-operation with different partners, according to a statement by the US Embassy in Cairo at the end of her visit to Egypt.

She reiterated the agency’s commitment to the principles of diversity, equality and co-operation with development partners through the programmes financed by the agency in Egypt.

During her visit, the US official checked on different programs carried out by the agency in Egypt, especially in the health, tourism, economic growth and women empowerment.

She also expressed appreciation for close partnership with the Egyptian Red Crescent during the Covid 19 pandemic.

She met with Minister of Social Solidarity Nivine El Kabbag to discuss collaboration on topics such as women economic empowerment, youth participation, private sector development, and community engagement, and the important role of civil society in Egypt.

She visited the Sultan Hussein Kamel Palace iHub where she hosted a roundtable discussion with USAID-supported Egyptian entrepreneurs and startups. During this meeting, Deputy Administrator Adams-Allen was able to hear firsthand how USAID’s partnership with the Government of Egypt and the private sector supports Egyptian entrepreneurs by launching and growing startups, attracting foreign direct investment, and improving the delivery of public services for the benefit of all Egyptians.

Prior to her departure from Cairo, Adams-Allen had the opportunity to see historic Cairo and visit several sites where past and present USAID support has preserved valuable Egyptian cultural heritage and supported private sector investment in local communities to promote sustainable tourism.

Joined by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Daniel Rubinstein, she visited the Sphinx and Pyramids at the Giza Plateau, where the US government, through USAID, designed and constructed a $7 million groundwater lowering system to protect the Sphinx and Giza Plateau from further degradation from groundwater.

Since 1995, USAID has invested over $100 million to conserve monuments and masterpieces spanning the full range of Egypt’s long cultural heritage, to protect and sustain these historic sites and important economic assets for future generations.