During her visit to Beijing, China, Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat holds meetings with the Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Chairman of the Chinese International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA).

During her visit to Beijing, China, Dr. Rania A.  Al-Mashat holds meetings with the Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Chairman of the Chinese International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA).

 

The Minister discusses the activation of the MoU regarding debt swaps for development.

 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat: We aspire to elevate Egyptian-Chinese relations to broader horizons based on the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

 

Discussions focus on expanding investment in human capital as a fundamental pillar for development and partnership.

 

Dr. Al-Mashat: We look forward to benefiting from the Chinese experience and the role of the NDRC in formulating and implementing sectoral and geographical development plans.

 

Egypt is keen to play an active role within the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and achieve integration between national strategies and the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative.

 

During her visit to Beijing to participate in the second edition of the Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held bilateral meetings with Mr. Luo Zhaohui, Chairman of the Chinese International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), and Ms. Zheng Bei, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). These discussions aim to advance and develop the Egyptian-Chinese partnership, which has been continuously evolving since 2014 with the signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.

 

Meeting with the Chairman of CIDCA

 

At the beginning of the meeting, Al-Mashat expressed her gratitude to Mr. Luo Zhaohui for hosting and organizing the second edition of the forum, which plays a vital role in enhancing joint efforts among Southern countries through effective discussions to promote global development. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat affirmed that China is one of Egypt's key partners in development, praising the Chinese developmental experience and the government's eagerness to leverage it across various sectors. Additionally, the Minister highlighted the goal of expanding Chinese investments, as they represent one of the most significant sources of investment and technological expertise globally.

 

Al-Mashat noted the Egyptian leadership and government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Chinese side and elevating it to broader horizons based on the achievements of the past decade, emphasizing that Egypt's developmental priorities align with the global Belt and Road Initiative announced by the Chinese President in 2013, establishing a foundation for integrating these initiatives with Egypt’s development agenda and the African development agenda 2063.

 

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat underscored the importance of ongoing discussions and meetings to promote cooperation among Southern countries. Additionally, she expressed the government's appreciation for cooperation with the Chinese side in the area of debt swaps for development signed in October 2023, affirming the importance of progressing with the implementation steps.

 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also noted her commitment to enhancing cooperation with the Chinese side following Egypt's membership in the Global Development Center (GDPC) and its executive secretariat, which facilitates more collaborative efforts between both parties in executing the Global Development Initiative (GDI).

 

Both sides applaudedthe joint cooperation between Egypt and China in investing in human capital and exchanging developmental expertise, emphasizing the maximization of benefits from Chinese training programs that enhance the capacity-building of government officials at various administrative levels. In 2023, approximately 125 training programs were executed with nearly 400 government officials participating, along with 23 virtual training sessions involving 170 officials. By the end of June 2024, over 70 training sessions had been organized with the participation of 420 officials.

 

Minister Al-Mashat called on the Chinese side to provide more training programs and academic scholarships in various fields, which would reflect positively on increasing the number of benefiting government officials and enhance investment in human capital as a fundamental pillar for achieving development.

 

Meeting with the NDRC

 

In another meeting, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat met with Ms. Zheng Bei, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The NDRC is tasked with implementing policies and decisions from the China regarding development and reform. This includes formulating and implementing national economic and social development strategies, medium- and long-term development plans, and annual plans to lead a unified planning mechanism and define objectives for accelerating the establishment of a modern economic system and promoting high-quality development.

 

At the outset of the meeting, Ms. Zheng Bei congratulated H.E. Minister Al-Mashat on her appointment as Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation in the new government. Dr. Al-Mashat thanked the Chinese side for the warm reception, noting that the integration of the ministries of Planning and Economic Development and International Cooperation in the current government provides a greater opportunity for cooperation, especially in coordination with the NDRC.

 

Al-Mashat expressed her appreciation for this being the first meeting of its kind with a senior official from the NDRC, enhancing the prospects for future collaboration, particularly in leveraging the Chinese experience in formulating and implementing national development plans at both sectorial and geographical levels, aiming to bolster economic and social development and develop comprehensive industrial policies and infrastructure projects.

 

Dr. Al-Mashat confirmed the shared priorities between the two countries, particularly regarding infrastructure development in transportation, energy, information technology, and utility connectivity projects. These sectors align with Egypt’s developmental priorities in terms of stimulating economic growth, enhancing trade and economic cooperation, increasing intra-trade and financial integration, and fostering people-to-people connections through cultural exchange.

 

Both agreed on the importance of activating the MoU signed regarding the exchange of expertise and cooperation in economic development, as well as collaboration in implementing the BeiDou satellite navigation system. They emphasized that these memoranda pave the way for a robust relationship in scientific research and economic development.

 

The Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation affirmed Egypt's commitment to being an active member of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) across its eight areas of interest: poverty alleviation, food security, pandemic response and vaccine production, development financing, climate change and green development, manufacturing, digital economy, and connectivity in the digital age.

 

It is worth noting the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed by the leaders of both countries in 2014 aimed at expanding our bilateral relations.