Egypt’s Planning Minister and Russian Counterpart Discuss Joint Cooperation

Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, met with Maxim Reshetnikov, the Russian Minister of Economic Development, to discuss avenues of mutual cooperation. This meeting took place on the sidelines of the 27th edition of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, held in Russia from June 5-8.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Hala El-Said emphasized that the meeting represents an opportunity to enhance bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Russia, noting the long-standing relations between the two countries throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

El-Said highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation in food security, as well as economic and social relations, to build peace in the region and achieve global economic prosperity in a multipolar world.

The Minister of Planning affirmed that there are common grounds between the two countries concerning ministerial directives for economic development and the strategic goals set by both nations. She pointed out that the economic development portfolio was included in the Ministry of Planning's responsibilities in 2020, highlighting the ministry's role in structural and social reform plans under Egypt's Vision 2030.

Dr. Hala El-Said also referred to the entities affiliated with the ministry that act as supportive arms in achieving the goals of Egypt's Vision 2030, sustainable economic development, governance, and digital transformation. She noted the ministry's efforts in several initiatives, including the "Decent Life" initiative to improve the living standards of citizens in rural Egypt, the National Family Development Project, and the National Initiative for Green and Smart Projects, which aims to find solutions to environmental and climate change issues within Egypt's governorates.

Regarding the interest in youth and ensuring their inclusion in the economic development process, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development mentioned several initiatives offered by the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, the ministry's training arm. These include the "Be an Ambassador" initiative to promote sustainable development concepts, the "Governance Ambassadors" initiative to disseminate governance concepts among youth, and the "Green Minds" initiative to raise awareness about sustainable development goals and climate change among school students.

For his part, the Russian minister congratulated the Minister of Planning and Economic Development on Egypt's accession to the BRICS group, referring to the Russian presidency's program for the group in preparation for the summit to be hosted in Kazan, Russia, in October.

The meeting witnessed an exchange of views on the role of the group in achieving strategic economic and political ambitions and objectives, sharing insights on the best application of the economic development process, and discussing technologies and policies for implementation on the ground.