Egypt’s Planning Minister meets with Iraqi counterpart to discuss cooperation

Dr. Hala Al-Saeed, Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, received Dr. Khaled Al-Battal, Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, and Iraqi Ambassador to Egypt Dr. Ahmed Nayef Al-Dulaimi, on Thursday, December 10, at the ministry's headquarters to discuss ways of joint cooperation between the two brotherly countries.At the beginning of the meeting, Al-Saeed emphasized the depth and history of the close relations between Iraq and Egypt, which the political leadership of the two countries and their people have been keen to continue and consolidate in all political, economic and cultural fields from time immemorial until now in an effort to preserve fraternal ties between them and to strengthen joint Arab action.Al-Saeed praised this important visit, which is a continuation and confirmation of the distinguished cooperative relations between the two brotherly countries, which have witnessed a clear boom during the last period, and reflected a great deal of mutual understanding and coordination on the level of various issues at the regional and international levels, which have clearly been witnessed during several important events, including the Egyptian-Iraqi-Jordanian Tripartite Summit last August, which brought together Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi, and Jordanian King Abdullah II, as well as the holding of the Joint Egyptian-Iraqi Higher Committee in Iraq last October, which resulted in the signing of a large number of memoranda of understanding covering many promising areas of cooperation between the two countries.In this context, Al-Saeed referred to Sisi’s statements during the recent tripartite summit on the need to strengthen areas of economic, commercial and investment cooperation with Iraq, with the aim of establishing a next stage of strategic integration based on common development goals, stressing that Egypt is now ready to present its experiences in all fields for its brothers in Iraq. This is in addition to the establishment of joint development and investment projects that have a direct and rapid impact on the development process in the two countries. She added that it was agreed to meet periodically to coordinate positions and policies with the aim of achieving the interests of the two brotherly peoples in stability and economic prosperity and achieving common goals through the promotion of economic integration and cooperation, for example the promotion and development of joint industrial zones and cooperation in the sectors of energy, infrastructure and other sectors of development cooperation, in addition to increasing trade exchange, enhancing joint investments between the two countries, and activating the role of the private sector.The minister praised the efforts and development achieved by Iraq during the past period in light of exceptional and difficult circumstances facing the country, as Cairo closely follows all efforts made by the Iraqi government aimed at improving the country's economic conditions and combating terrorism, in addition to facing all the challenges the country is going through, which increased dramatically during the global corona crisis. She confirmed Egypt’s confidence that the Iraqi state is able to overcome that difficult stage and set out to achieve further progress and prosperity at all levels, in proportion to what Iraq enjoys in terms of promising material and human capabilities, and the characteristics of originality and sophistication enjoyed by its people.During the meeting, Al-Saeed reviewed many ideas regarding cooperation between the two countries in areas related to the ministry's work, whether in the field of planning or in the field of economic development. The most important areas of joint work were in developing economic policies, planning at strategic, central and sectoral levels, balancing programs and performance, preparing and follow-up of the implementation of the investment plan in the country, and statistical training in the field of the UN goals for sustainable development.On the training level, Al-Saeed suggested coordination with the National Training Academy, which plays a distinguished role in investing in the human element, qualifying youth cadres in the country and upgrading their skills, as it provides specialized, multidisciplinary training according to the highest international standards.Al-Saeed added that the ministry has a number of subordinate bodies, the most important of which is the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), which aims to conduct statistics and censuses needed by all sectors of the state, publish statistical data and information, and spread statistical awareness to all segments of society, in addition to the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, which aims to enhance the principles of governance with the aim of achieving competitiveness and supporting the sustainable development plan Egypt Vision 2030. There is also the Institute of National Planning, which is one of the arms of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, and it aims to spread the scientific planning approach in Egypt through many research, training and educational activities, which can be provided for appropriate training for Iraqi cadres.For his part, Dr. Khaled Al-Battal, Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, indicated the strategic importance of relations between Iraq and Egypt and the momentum and remarkable development witnessed in these relations in the recent period, especially in light of the participation of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi in the tripartite summit between Iraq, Egypt and Jordan in Amman on August 25. He pointed out that the summit dealt with discussing ways to enhance joint tripartite cooperation in various fields between the three countries, especially those related to energy, electrical connectivity, infrastructure and food, as well as strengthening the areas of economic, trade and investment cooperation, with the aim of establishing a next stage of strategic integration between the three countries based on common development goals.Meanwhile, Iraqi Ambassador Dr. Ahmed Nayef Al-Dulaimi said the visit of the Iraqi delegation headed by Battal aims to find appropriate mechanisms to activate what was agreed upon in the joint Iraqi-Egyptian Higher Committee, as well as follow up the implementation of projects emanating from the joint Iraqi-Egyptian-Jordanian Coordinating Council.At the end of the meeting, the Egyptian and Iraqi planning ministers exchanged shields, wishing for more fruitful and constructive cooperation between the two brotherly countries in all fields during the coming period.