Cairo, 11 April 2017 - On 6 April, Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) and IOM launched a new Migration Data Analysis Unit.

The Migration Data Analysis Unit aims to fill in existing information gaps by conducting periodic assessments and producing key statistics on migration issues to support the development of evidence-based policy and enhance migration management in Egypt.

Major General Abu Bakr Al-Guindy, Director of CAPMAS, commenced the launch by thanking IOM for their support in establishing the Unit and building the capacities of its staff. He highlighted the importance of the Unit and its role in supporting policymakers in Egypt. “It is important for the mission and responsibilities of CAPMAS that it supports policymakers with the needed data and evidence, while following correct and up-to-date methodologies and technical approaches in a timely transparent manner,” emphasized Al-Guindy. 

He added that CAPMAS is making daily efforts to develop itself while making use of all available resources and maximizing the benefits from all available resources from the international statistical community, both in terms of cooperation and exchanging experiences.

Amr Taha, IOM Egypt Head of Office highlighted the importance of understanding migration trends to address the realities to be faced in the future.

The establishment of this Unit is part of efforts by the Government of Egypt to harness the positive contributions of migration for development and its initiatives to curb irregular migration to, through and from Egypt while promoting positive alternatives.

In this context, IOM has been supporting the CAPMAS Migration Unit to analyse labour markets in Egypt and abroad to identify opportunities for labour mobility of Egyptians to better plan and maximize the benefits of migration. More specifically, IOM organized two trainings and a study visit to IOM’s Global Migration Data Analysis Centre in Berlin for CAPMAS and other government officials to build their capacities in this respect. This support stems from the cooperation between the two agencies to enhance data on migration following IOM’s engagement in World Statistics Day, 20 October 2015, hosted by CAPMAS.

“After the successful support provided to CAPMAS on the Egypt International Household Migration Survey, which looked at the drivers of migration, IOM is now working with the agency to analyse labour markets in Egypt and abroad and seek to provide positive alternatives to irregular migration,” said Taha.

This intervention is funded by the IOM Development Fund and the Government of the United Kingdom under the projects, Developing Capacities for Forecasting and Planning Migration across the Mediterranean and Preventing and Responding to Irregular Migration in Egypt.

For further information, please contact Teuta Grazhdani at IOM Egypt. Tel: +202-27365140, Email: iomegypt@iom.int.