Egypt’s Planning Minister, ITFC CEO discuss executive steps to establish the 1st export academy in the country

H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and Governor of Egypt at the Islamic Development Bank Group, Eng. Hani Sonbol, CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and acting CEO of the Islamic Corporation for Sector Development, received members of the Islamic Development Bank Group and his accompanying delegation, to discuss the executive position for the establishment of the first Export Academy in Egypt.

The meeting witnessed the presence of Dr. Nada Masoud, Economic Advisor to the Minister of Planning, Dr. Mona Al-Jarf, Advisor to the Minister of Planning for Economic Affairs, Mr. Kamal Nasr, Assistant Minister of Planning for Technical Office Affairs, Mr. Abdullah Al-Khatib, Advisor to the CEO of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, Ms. Abeer Al-Khouli as well as Mrs. Heba Gamal, Director of Egypt Programs at the Private Sector Development Corporation, Representative of the Corporation in Egypt, Mr. Ayman Kassem, Director of the Trade Development Division.

During the meeting, Dr. Hala El-Said referred to the partnership agreement between the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation and the Foreign Trade Training Center in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Egyptian Exporters Association "Expolink" for the implementation of the "Export Academy" project, which was signed on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the Islamic Development Bank Group last May.

El-Said explained that the strategic objective of the “Export Academy” project is that the academy, through its training programs specialized in exporting, will increase Egyptian exports and increase economic integration and regional trade between the Arab countries and the targeted African countries, in addition to strengthening efforts to promote national trade.

She added that the academy acts as a platform for business in Egypt, the Arab, and African countries. As a result, an effective regional business environment can be created by transferring information and expertise.

It will also contribute to building export capabilities and skills for a new generation of exporters and entrepreneurs, strengthening the building of export and import capabilities for commercial and industrial enterprises and enhancing their compatibility with market requirements, while linking entrepreneurs to global value chains by raising the level of human and technical capabilities and developing them, according to El-Said

For his part, Eng. Hani Sonbol indicated that the export academy project will be a positive step towards supporting the economic development of Egypt and the region, especially supporting the private sector and opening export fields to global markets, and the corporation will continue to provide integrated commercial solutions to key strategic sectors such as food and energy.