EU adopts new rules to significantly cut packaging waste with re-use targets
The European Union has formally adopted a regulation on packaging and packaging waste. The new ...
Decent Life earmarked EGP 65 bn for SMEs benefiting 2.9 million citizens
The presidential initiative Decent Life (or Haya Karima) for the development of rural areas in Egypt has provided EGP 65 billion in financing for small and micro enterprises (SMEs) in the first stage, benefiting 2.9 million citizens.
This came in a report issued by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation on the executive status of the first phase of the Decent Life until the end of November.
Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Mashat announced that the implementation rate for the first phase of Decent Life projects reached 85.5% by the end of November 2024.
The financial availability amounted to EGP 295.5 billion, at 84.4%, with 16,812 projects completed and the development of 100 villages at a total cost of EGP 21 billion, benefiting 1.2 million citizens. This has contributed to a 69-percentage-point improvement in the “Basic Services Availability Rate” index.
Mashat clarified that the national project for the development of rural Egypt, Decent Life, is the largest project in the world in terms of beneficiaries, with 18 million citizens benefiting in the first phase alone, residing in approximately 1,500 villages. The cost of implementing the first phase alone exceeds EGP 350 billion, with 23,000 projects.
The Minister added that the project has been registered on the UN platforms “Accelerators for Achieving the Goals” and “Best Practices,” recognizing the project’s role in achieving the 17 SDGs across all economic, social, and environmental dimensions, in addition to the project’s defined measurable targets within a specific timeframe. It also emphasizes participation in planning, financing, implementation, and monitoring.
Mashat continued that Decent Life aims to reduce multidimensional poverty and address developmental gaps between governorates.
She noted that Upper Egypt governorates receive 68% of the allocations for the first phase, with beneficiaries in these areas representing 61% of the total beneficiaries.
Mashat also emphasized that the project aligns with the goals of the National Human Rights Strategy, as over 70% of the first phase allocations are directed towards human development investments.
As for the educational sector, the project has supported efforts to address classroom overcrowding and illiteracy by establishing and developing 15,000 classrooms, maintaining 1,300 schools, and eradicating illiteracy for 510,000 citizens. This has helped reduce classroom density, particularly in the governorates of Minya, Qena, Aswan, Sohag, and Assiut, with an average reduction of 3 percentage points. The illiteracy rate in the beneficiary governorates decreased by 7 percentage points between 2021 and 2024. Additionally, 73,000 citizens benefited from digital literacy programs.
Concerning water and sanitation sector, the report highlighted the completion of 21 wastewater treatment plants, 937 sewage projects, and 1.4 million household sewage connections. The executed projects resulted in a 45% increase in the number of sanitation service subscribers in the villages of the first phase between 2021 and 2024. The goal is to increase sanitation coverage to 90% in the villages of the first phase, with national coverage reaching 60% by the end of this phase, compared to 12% in 2013/2014.
Regarding drinking water, the report stated that 248 drinking water plants were established and developed, along with 1,380 projects extending and reinforcing water supply networks over a distance of 5,400 kilometers.
Additionally, 1,292 household drinking water connections were completed, providing 455,000 connections. This has led to a 14% increase in the number of drinking water subscribers in the villages of the first phase between 2021 and 2024. The target is to increase the coverage of clean drinking water from 97% to 100%.
As for financial inclusion, the report detailed the executive status of the first phase of the Decent Life project in terms of providing loans for small, medium, and micro projects, with EGP 65.6 billion in funding provided by various financial institutions, benefiting over 2.9 million individuals.
In line with expanding financial inclusion, 137 bank branches were established and developed, along with 1,254 ATMs, ensuring 100% coverage of local units with ATMs. Additionally, 160,000 internet banking services, 78,000 mobile wallets, 340,000 prepaid cards, and 8,325 retail points of sale with QR codes were provided, resulting in an 11-percentage-point improvement in the financial inclusion index.
It is worth noting that the national project for the development of rural Egypt, Decent Life supports the state’s efforts in various fields and accelerates the implementation of other national projects, such as the Comprehensive Health Insurance Project.
The first phase includes the establishment and development of 1,102 health units and 24 central hospitals according to the specifications of the Comprehensive Health Insurance System.
The project also helps achieve the goals of the National Climate Change Strategy 2050, as 30% of its investments are green. It is also the first project in the Middle East and Africa to rehabilitate three villages — Faris in Aswan, Nahtay in Gharbia, and Shama in Menofia — to obtain the “Rationalization” certification for rural communities from the Global Green Building Council as part of the “Green Village” initiative.
اترك تعليقا