Egypt’s Planning Minister is in North Sinai to review development updates

H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, reviewed the most significant efforts to develop North Sinai, and the most prominent projects directed at the governorate during fiscal year 2023/22.

El-Said headed to North Sinai, from Cairo, accompanied by The Minister of Local Development General Hisham Amena to follow up on the implementation of the investment plan projects. She also inaugurated technology centers in the presence of high-ranking officials from both ministries.

The visit includes a demonstration of the investment plan for both fiscal years 2022/23, and 2023/24, the goals, mechanisms, and categories of the National Initiative for Green Smart Projects. In addition, there is a presentation on the technology center development and the latest developments in El-Arish.

During the visit to North Sinai, Dr. Hala El-Said will inaugurate the governorate general office in El-Arish and visit several areas of the governorate.

Dr. Hala El-Said said that the Egyptian state's unprecedented development efforts in the last eight years have focused on Sinai being at the center of the state's development plan.

 

She noted that those efforts are based on two main pillars. The first is the expansion of infrastructure projects to improve citizens' quality of life.

El-Said added that the second pillar focuses on building Egyptian human beings, improving the characteristics of the population, expanding investment in human beings, and building capacity through various health initiatives such as “100 Million SIHA” "100 Million Healthy Lives" and comprehensive health insurance.

She highlighted the development of the education system, the national road project, the New Cities Group, the development of Egyptian ports, the initiative of Decent Life, Takaful and Karama (Solidarity and Dignity), social housing projects, and the elimination of slums.

Moreover, she stressed that Egyptian state apparatuses' success in defeating terrorism has enabled comprehensive and sustainable development. She also stated that the coming period will see a major plan to achieve unprecedented development rates in North Sinai.

Meanwhile, she noted that North Sinai's public investment in the 22/2023 plan was about EGP 8 billion for agriculture projects.

 

She also highlighted the establishment of 13 agricultural gatherings in the governorate, road projects, and treatment plants, health projects, including the development of General Arish hospitals, Sheikh Zuweid, Baghdad, Ramanah, and Bi 'r al-Abdul as well as the development of primary care units, as well as youth and sports projects which include the development of Al-Arish Stadium and others.

 

El-Said asserted the state's interest in developing the education system in the governorate, noting the operation of the STEM School of Excellence in Arish beginning next year, as well as the establishment of an international school at the Land of Excellence School Complex, the replacement and renovation of many schools in the governorate, as well as the development of the University of Arish.

 

Dr. Hala El-Said referred to productive projects and market development in the governorate, such as the development of the Al-Arish market for wholesale trade, and the development of infrastructure in the Pharma area (the path of the Holy Family), pointing to the state's efforts to revive tourism in the region through the camel racing project that began in April 2023.

Concerning efforts to rehabilitate and build human capacities to achieve comprehensive development, El-Said explained that Egypt's Vision 2030 focuses on two main components that intersect with the three dimensions of the vision and with the 17 SDGs namely women and youth, as Egypt has more than 60% of its youth population, and women represent a major element and basis for family development, referring to programs that help empower women and provide them with specialized training, including the "She is for a Digital Future" initiative.

El-Said also referred to the "Be an Ambassador" initiative for sustainable development aimed at youth, and the "Ambassadors of Governance" initiative, as well as programs aimed at children such as the "Green Minds" initiative and the "Salah & Omenya" initiative, which is a collection of stories for children about sustainable development goals.

She continued that the programs that come within the framework of the pillar of youth empowerment include the "Youth for Development" initiative launched by the Ministry of Planning in cooperation with the Supreme Council of Universities to provide different and multiple areas for dialogue with young people and create continuous channels of communication with them, referring to the national initiative for smart green projects which was launched during Egypt's COP27 hosting.