Cairo, 31 October – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) joined the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) and the Ministry of State for Emigration and Egyptian Expatriate Affairs (MoSEEA) in launching the Industrial Map of Egypt and promoting it among Egyptian expatriate communities worldwide.

The event was attended by more than 200 participants, the majority of from Egyptian national institutions, the private sector, and industrial development actors. On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the two Ministries, setting the basis for a crucial partnership in the Egyptian investment sector.

Ms. Teuta Grazhdani, Head of the Labour Mobility and Human Development Division at IOM Egypt, noted during her opening remarks that “the launch of the Industrial Investment Map of Egypt is another clear demonstration of the Government of Egypt’s constant efforts to advance the socio-economic development of the country. This initiative capitalizes on Egypt’s industries as the catalyst of the country’s trade and development and on Egyptian expatriates as key agents of development.”

In providing information about investment opportunities, this Map will foster local development across various governorates. It will also engage Egyptian expatriate communities from around the world in contributing to Egypt’s development, helping to build bridges between international investors and public and private institutions in the country.

H.E. Minister Nabila Makram Abdel Shahid, Minister of State for Emigration and Egyptian Expatriate Affairs, highlighted that cooperation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry enhances the promotion of the major industrial projects in Egypt, which in turn supports MoSEEA’s efforts to capitalize on the experiences of Egyptians abroad in various development fields and encourage their investments.

H.E. Minister Tarek Qabil, Minister of Trade and Industry, put the number of real investment opportunities indexed by the Map at 4,136, which he noted will provide up to 300,000 jobs. The largest numbers of opportunities, up to 56 per cent, come from small industries, while medium and micro industries represent 23 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively. Large industries account for the remaining 8 percent.

Mr Felice Longobardi, Head of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (IADC) in Egypt, noted that the map is of paramount importance in facilitating the search for and funding of new employment opportunities in the country.

This initiative forms part of the project Initiatives for Local Development of Egypt through the support of Egyptians Abroad, supported by the IADC, which promotes institutional mechanisms for engaging Egyptian expatriates in local economic development in Egypt.

The Map supports the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10 Reduced Inequalities, and 17 Partnership for the Goals. It also supports the realization of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS): Vision 2030, particularly with regards to its economic and education pillars.

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