Planning, Agriculture ministers Monitor Progress of Structural Reforms in Egypt's Agricultural Sector

At the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, H.E. Dr. Hala El Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, and El Sayed El Qusair, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, convened to oversee the implementation status of policies and measures within the National Program for Structural Reforms in the agriculture sector.

Dr. Hala El Said commenced the meeting by extending a warm welcome to the Minister of Agriculture and ministry officials, emphasizing the session's overarching objective to meticulously monitor the execution of the second phase of the National Program for Economic and Social Reform. She underscored the paramount importance of delineating a strategic roadmap for subsequent stages post the initial comprehensive economic reform program, aiming at sustainable growth and development.

El Said emphasized the imperative of targeting the real sector through comprehensive and purpose-driven structural reforms, which play a pivotal role in augmenting private sector engagement and addressing recent global economic shifts. She underscored the transformative impact of structural reforms in aligning with sustainable development goals nationwide, facilitating the transition to a greener, more competitive Egyptian economy, and fortifying economic resilience to withstand external and internal shocks.

The Egyptian state's steadfast commitment towards deepening economic resilience and bolstering competitiveness is exemplified by the meticulous implementation of two fundamental phases of economic reform: the Financial and Monetary Reform phase (initiated in November 2016) and the Structural Reform phase (launched in April 2021). The latter phase encompasses strategic sectors including industry, agriculture, communications and information technology, tourism, and logistics.

Dr. Hala El Said highlighted the establishment of the High Committee for Priority Structural Reforms for the Egyptian economy, chaired by the Prime Minister. The committee's composition includes ministers, heads of authorities, private sector representatives, and aims to optimize GDP structure, elevate Egyptian economic competitiveness, and oversee the meticulous implementation of comprehensive and sectoral reforms.

El Qusair expressed profound gratitude for the collaborative effort in crafting the National Program for Structural Reforms. He underscored the agriculture sector's pivotal role and the unwavering support it has received from political leadership. Despite formidable challenges, the sector has exhibited remarkable resilience, particularly during the adversities posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting comprehensively reviewed the spectrum of policies and executive measures outlined within the structural reform program, with a specific focus on achieving food and water security, enhancing agricultural productivity and competitiveness, augmenting agricultural exports, fostering the creation of new job opportunities, and providing robust support to small-scale farmers.

The Ministry of Agriculture, through its diverse sectors and departments, has made substantial strides in realizing several strategic objectives of the structural reform program. Key accomplishments include the facilitation of vertical expansion projects, the promotion of enhanced agricultural practices, and the promotion of digital transformation initiatives aimed at catalyzing agricultural innovation and efficiency.

In attendance from the Ministry of Planning were Kamal Nasr, Assistant Minister for Technical Office Affairs, Wael Ziyada, Assistant Minister for Economic and Investment Affairs, Hatem Al-Laithi, Minister's Advisor for Monetary and Banking Affairs. From the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Mohamed Fahim, Minister's Advisor, Dr. Mohamed Suleiman, former Head of the Agricultural Research Center and Minister's Advisor for Agricultural Policies, and Ahmed Jalal, Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture.