Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development Leads the closing session of the Governorate Competitiveness Index Conference

Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development Dr. Ahmed Kamali led the closing session of the conference activities to launch the Governorate Competitiveness Index. This was entitled “Recommendations and a Road Map."

The conference witnessed the attendance of the Minister of Planning and Economic Development Dr. Hala El-Said, the Minister of Local Development General Hisham Amena, some governors, USAID Deputy Mission Director Margaret Sancho, and Ms. Rola Dashti who serves as Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (virtually).

During the session, Dr. Ahmed Kamali stressed the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development's (MPED) eagerness to follow the participatory approach to aid all government agencies, the private sector, and civil society to achieve and execute Egypt’s Vision 2030, along with the UN Sustainable Development Agenda.

In that context, Kamali clarified that MPED had launched some tools in the past few years. He pointed to the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the governorates' level.

He also confirmed that Egypt is a leading state in localizing the SDGs in the Middle East. He clarified that the localization process has different dimensions, including the SDG-related dimension, a financing equation dimension, and the competitiveness dimension.

Moreover, Kamali continued that sustainable development and inclusive development can only be achieved through private sector motivation.

He also stressed the importance and necessity of motivating the private sector by improving economic conditions all over the country. He pointed out that the current direction aims to increase competitiveness.

 Furthermore, Kamali affirmed the belief of MPED in data accessibility, stressing the importance of having data on the indicator and making it available, explaining that a website for the indicator will contain data not only for decision-makers but also for the private sector and researchers, in a way that enhances the trend towards transparency and governance. Then, he explained that MPED, in cooperation with all national agencies, especially the Public Mobilization and Statistics Authority (CAPMAS), is keen to provide that kind of data.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tarek Rahmy, Governor of Gharbia governorate thanked MPED for launching the Competitiveness Index. He pointed out that the index is the first integrated and multidimensional index that contributes to achieving the SDGs and Egypt's Vision 2030.

He added that the index would benefit governorates in general and Gharbiya Governorate in particular. He also pointed to Gharbiya's advantages, including agricultural, industrial, and touristic elements and potentials. This places it in a prominent position on the axis of capital and markets.

For his part, Dr. Ahmed Al-Ansari explained that about 50% of the governorate represents natural reserves. He added that the governorate is currently carrying out several projects with the Ministry of Environment. He stressed that the governorate is witnessing many improvements, most notably in infrastructure. He continued to illustrate that the Egyptian state, with all its bodies and officials, depends on science, measurement, and sustainable application. Lastly, he stressed that the governorate is trying to improve in the second revision of the competitiveness index.

Finally, Dr. Rasha Abdel Hakim the Senior Economic Counselor at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Egypt, clarified that the agency worked on several initiatives aimed at increasing competitiveness at the governorate level. She referred to the work on an economic strategy for the Beni Suef governorate.

he further indicated that another strategy is currently being negotiated with Alexandria and Sharqiya.

 Also, she stressed that the competitiveness index will shed light on gaps in the two governorates. This will contribute to the agency’s preparation strategy, focusing on increasing competitiveness in the two governorates