Planning Ministry Reports 80% Success for 'Decent Life' Initiative, Allocates Billions for Sustainable Development in Egypt

H.E. Dr. Hala El Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, participated in a crucial session with the Planning and Budget Committee of the Parliament, chaired by Dr. Fakhry El Fekki. 

The meeting included a review of the actual implementation report for the state's economic and social development plan for the fiscal year (2023/2022). Key participants in the session were Ayman Soliman, Executive Director of The Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE),Dr. Jamil Helmy, Assistant Minister for Sustainable Development Plan Affairs, Dr. Mona Essam, Assistant Minister for Sustainable Development, Eng. Nahed Morsi, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Maghraby, Head of the Human Development Sector, Ismail Youssef, Head of the Plan Preparation and Monitoring Sector, and Major General Mohamed El Gebaly, Minister's Advisor for Political Communication.

Dr. Hala El Said emphasized the commitment to the "Decent Life" initiative during the meeting, allocating approximately EGP 350 billion for its initial phase. This allocation is in addition to the funds utilized from the investment plan preceding the inception of "Decent Life." 

Dr. El Said invited Dr. Jamil Helmy to present the salient indicators of the project, focusing on its progress and impact.

In his presentation, Dr. Jamil Helmy outlined that the first phase of the "Decent Life" initiative has achieved an impressive 80% implementation rate, with over 23,000 projects actively underway, encompassing around 30,000 operations. 

He stressed that Upper Egypt governorates received a substantial share, approximately 68% of the total allocations for the first phase, totaling around EGP 237 billion.

This allocation reflects the government's dedication to social protection and fortifying the role of public investment in this regard.

Dr. Helmy disclosed that the completion of the first phase is anticipated by the end of the fiscal year 2023/2024. He also confirmed the initiation of the second phase of "Decent Life" from the investment plan, including the allocation of EGP 25 billion for pivotal projects in areas such as drinking water, sanitation, canal lining, and other priority sectors.

Highlighting future plans, Dr. Jamil Helmy shared that the second phase is projected to commence with the coverage of approximately 1667 villages, showcasing the holistic development achieved through the "Decent Life" project. He underscored the launch of an initiative aimed at developing urban complexes, with a funding injection of EGP 10 billion from the investment plan. This initiative seeks to strike a balance in development between rural and urban areas, towns, and centers within the same governorates.

Dr. Helmy underscored the green aspect of the initiative, with 30% of "Decent Life" investments dedicated to environmentally conscious practices, supporting the state's goals for a sustainable and green investment plan. He commended the success of the "Green Village" initiative, implemented through the Egyptian Green Building Association, showcasing environmentally compliant villages like Fares and Tahaai in Gharbia Governorate.

Addressing financial inclusion, Dr. Helmy discussed ongoing efforts with the Central Bank, particularly in deploying ATMs to meet the essential financial needs of villagers. He highlighted the achievement of covering villages in the first phase with ATMs, promoting a culture of saving and financial awareness.

In closing, Dr. Jamil Helmy asserted that the "Decent Life" initiative stands as a global benchmark for best practices in achieving sustainable development goals, earning recognition from the United Nations for two consecutive years. The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development remains committed to driving impactful and sustainable transformations across Egypt.