The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development holds the first workshop to discuss research papers on economic census data analysis

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, in cooperation with the Macroeconomic Reform and Stability Project, and the Egyptian Center for Public Opinion Research “Baseera” held the first workshops to be held to discuss the most important issues that resulted from the analysis of Egypt’s economic census data for the year 2017/2018 issued by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (.

The first workshop, which was entitled "Introductions to Maximizing the Economic Return of Economic Establishments"  witnessed the participation of Dr. Mohamed Fathi Saqr, advisor to the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Khaled Mustafa, permanent representative of the ministry, Dr. Maged Othman, CEO of the Egyptian Center for Public Opinion Research "Baseera", Dr. Alia Al-Mahdi, Professor of Economics, Faculty of Politics and Economics, Cairo University - Head Consultant of the project, Dr. Ola Al-Khawaja, Senior Consultant of the Macroeconomic Reform and Stability Project, Dr. Laila Al-Khawaja, Dr. Ayman Al-Naqeeb, Dr. Susana Al-Masah.
Dr. Ola Al-Khawaja opened the session, explaining that the workshop includes discussing four research papers as the first of the workshops that are intended to be held to discuss 12 research papers on the most important issues that resulted from the analysis of Egypt’s economic census data for the year 2017/2018 issued by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics.
 Dr. Muhammad Fathi Saqr, advisor to the Minister of Planning and Economic Development praised the role of the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMS) in providing the census, explaining that the main problem facing the development and follow-up of plans was the lack of sufficient data and information to enable the economic analysis, as the data was sometimes incomplete to cover the required sectors.

Saqr added that the presence of the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMS)to present this census and the detailed results it reached, helps researchers and scientists to plan for the completion of work in the desired manner, explaining that the workshop and the discussion of research that took place in it represent a practical embodiment on how to benefit from the available data in maximizing the return. 

On his part, Dr. Maged Othman, CEO of the Egyptian Center for Public Opinion Research "Baseera", referred to the efforts of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, explaining that had it not been for the data and its availability in the current form, it would not have been possible to access those research papers that were and will be presented during the series of workshops.

Othman added that the existence of the economic census and analyzing it in this way break the gap between information and decision-making, continuing that the economic census was conducted in 2018, followed by the Covid 19 crisis, where the situation of economic establishments was stable before Covid, explaining that the analysis of economic indicators is very important as it throws Highlight the role of the private sector and the obstacles it faces.

Dr. Alia Al-Mahdi, Professor of Economics, Faculty of Politics and Economics, Cairo University indicated that within the framework of the project, it is planned to hold 3 workshops that include 4 research papers for each workshop, explaining that the first workshop is entitled “Entries to Maximize the Economic Return of Economic Establishments”, provided that the second workshop is entitled “Economic Activity and Policies” and the third, entitled Women and the Labor Market.

 Al-Mahdi confirmed that 9 papers out of a total of 12 papers were completed, and 3 papers are in the process of being finalized, explaining that the four papers discussed.
"Each of them has an impact and a link with one of the basic aspects necessary to maximize the economic return in economic establishments, following up that the economic census includes 3.7 million establishments and reflects a clear idea and image of economic activity in Egypt," She said.
 Al-Mahdi explained that to accommodate the different aspects of the developments that are taking place, the four papers that were presented during the workshop were chosen, adding that the first paper came under the name of stimulating the added value of companies to achieve sustainable development.

 Al-Mahdi clarified that the total value added of the projects means their contribution to the gross domestic product, as the greater the added value, the stronger the economy and its ability to compete, create job opportunities, generate income and produce in a way that pushes the economy forward and achieves sustainable development.

Dr. Susanna Surveyor reviewed the initial working paper entitled Stimulating the added value of enterprises for sustainable development in Egypt.
 Dr. Ahmed Ragab also reviewed the second paper, which was entitled the impact of the spatial focus of economic activities on the productivity of companies in Egypt, while Dr. Rania Rushdi discussed the third paper, which was “Towards creating a decent work environment within the economic institutions in Egypt.”


 Dr. Anwar Al-Naqeeb concluded the discussion of papers in the fourth paper on idle production capacities in the Egyptian economy and ways to maximize operational capacity (with a focus on the manufacturing sector).