Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation: Expanding the Orange Corners Program to Include 7 Governorates in Upper Egypt and the Delta

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, announced the expansion of the Orange Corners program to support startups, now including 7 governorates in the Delta in addition to Upper Egypt. The program will be implemented in the governorates of Luxor, Assiut, Alexandria, Menofia, Dakahlia, Kafr El Sheikh, and Beheira.

 

The Orange Corners program is one of the outcomes of partnerships between the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and various private sector institutions, including ALEXBANK and Madinet Masr.

 

The Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation stated that the program aligns with the ministry's efforts in collaboration with international partners to support startups and enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Recently, 15 startups graduated from the program, and it is expected that the program will support 130 companies across various sectors this year.

 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that the partnership with the Dutch side represents a shared vision for empowering young entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable economic growth. She referred to the "Orange Corners Egypt" program’s vital role in providing the necessary tools, resources, and networks for ambitious entrepreneurs to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses. It is considered a shining example of how international partnerships can create tangible opportunities for youth and contribute to a more dynamic and inclusive economy.

 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed out the significant impact of this initiative since its inception in 2021, with the program supporting more than 115 startups, 58% of which are women-led, across key sectors such as agriculture, waste management, health and education, e-commerce, and fintech. These sectors are not only vital to the growth of the Egyptian economy but also play a crucial role in addressing some of the largest development challenges. She confirmed that this aligns closely with the ministry’s efforts under the

Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship, which H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat is honored to lead, to foster a more dynamic and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

 

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat also highlighted the government’s commitment, through the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship, to expand initiatives, mechanisms, and measures that support the startup community, and to coordinate between various governmental initiatives to maximize their impact.

 

It is worth mentioning that H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, chairs the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship. The main aim of the group, according to the decision, is to enhance the capacity of startups and the entrepreneurial environment to achieve sustainable, accelerated economic growth based on competitiveness and knowledge, contributing to the creation of decent job opportunities.

 

Recently, the group approved, in a meeting chaired by H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, the unified definition criteria for startups and classification regulations, based on which a company is defined as a startup. The group reviewed the most important suggestions from the entrepreneurship community regarding this, and discussed the proposed facilitations, benefits, and incentives that could be offered to stimulate the startup business environment, support their expansion, and strengthen the confidence of entrepreneurs and investors in the national economy.