logo
Mashat: Developing countries face 50 percent surge in debt service

Mashat: Developing countries face 50 percent surge in debt service

Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, has said the developing countries are facing a 50 percent surge in debt service costs between 2022 and 2025, a matter that constitutes a major challenge to sustainable investments.
Her statements came during her participation in the preparatory meeting of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) due to be held in Spain in June in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs the UNICEF and the European Union.
Mashat had met with Ms. Eva Granados Galeano, Secretary of State for International Cooperation in Spain, in the presence of Mr. Sergio Colina, General Director of Sustainable Development Policies.
The meeting covered cooperation relations between the two countries and arrangements for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), which will be held from June 30 to July 3 in Spain.
Mashat pointed out to the Ministry's efforts to promote structural reforms through the Development Policy Financing (DPF), which is being implemented in cooperation with the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the European Union (EU).
Regarding cooperation with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Mashat pointed out that 20 programs and projects have been implemented in Egypt with the support of the Spanish Agency in many sectors and fields such as women's empowerment, water resources management, and support for the Egyptian private sector, in addition to developing the skills and capabilities of women in Upper Egypt. She affirmed the importance of periodic follow-up of these projects.
Future cooperation opportunities were also addressed to contribute to support sustainable development and various fields of development and economic cooperation.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

OPEN// PM: Egypt's economy shows resilience amid regional challenges
OPEN// PM: Egypt's economy shows resilience amid regional challenges

Middle East

timean hour ago

  • Middle East

OPEN// PM: Egypt's economy shows resilience amid regional challenges

CAIRO, June 15 (MENA) - Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli on Sunday said that despite geopolitical and economic challenges in the region and globally, the Egyptian economy has proven its ability to withstand and adapt. Madbouli was addressing the "Development Finance to Foster Private Sector-Led Growth & Jobs" conference, organized by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation in the New Administrative Capital. The event was attended by a galaxy of ministers, ambassadors, and representatives from development partners, the European Union in Egypt, international institutions, and private sector companies. The premier highlighted Egypt's recent economic achievements, including the growth of the GDP by 4.3% in Q2 of the current fiscal year, the increase in the flow of foreign direct investments as well as the rise in non-oil exports by 33% in the first nine months of the fiscal year. The unemployment rate has fallen to 6.3%, while the fiscal deficit declined to 6.5%, Madbouli said, adding that the public debt is expected to decrease to 85–87% of the GDP. The private sector is the primary engine of economic growth, generating over 80% of job opportunities and contributing around 70% of GDP, Madbouli said. He highlighted government's efforts to create a favorable environment for private investment through upgrading the infrastructure, injecting massive public investment in roads, railways, ports, energy, and airports along with launching the State Ownership Policy Document to create a more transparent and competitive market. In order to regulate public expenditure, the government has capped public investments to focus on projects over 70% complete and enacted the 2024 Competition Protection Law to curb monopolies and enhance fair business practices, the premier said. The government has also introduced the Golden License to fast-track project approvals, restructured the tax system, updated legislation, and streamlined non-tax financial burdens, Madbouli said. Madbouli emphasized that structural reforms, which were designed in partnership with international financial institutions, were critical to achieving Egypt's economic progress, enhancing macroeconomic stability and promoting green transition. He added that development finance for the private sector has reached $4.2 billion in 2024, surpassing public sector development finance for the first time, with a total of $15.6 billion mobilized since 2020. (MENA) A A E/R E E

Egypt signs 6 agreements to accelerate renewable energy
Egypt signs 6 agreements to accelerate renewable energy

Egypt Today

time4 hours ago

  • Egypt Today

Egypt signs 6 agreements to accelerate renewable energy

CAIRO – 15 June 2025: At the Development Finance to Foster Private Sector-Led Growth & Jobs conference, the Egyptian government inked six major agreements with international development partners and private sector players, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy and economic growth. A key highlight was the financial closure of the Obelisk Solar Power Plant, a flagship project by Norway's Scatec, featuring 1 gigawatt of solar capacity and 200 megawatt-hours of battery storage. With an investment of $600 million, the project is part of the Ministry of Electricity's emergency energy expansion plan and contributes to the energy pillar of Egypt's NWFE (Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy) program. The conference also saw the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement for the Shadwan Wind Project, another Scatec-led venture located in Ras Shukeir, Gulf of Suez. The project will deliver 900 megawatts of wind energy and bring in approximately $1 billion in direct foreign investment, further supporting Egypt's clean energy agenda under NWFE. In a third major step, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) partnered with AMEA Power of the UAE to finance Egypt's first utility-scale battery energy storage facility, integrated within the Abydos Solar Project, another key NWFE initiative. Beyond energy, agreements were signed to expand private sector support through the Hafiz platform. The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development signed an MoU with the Federation of Egyptian Banks to improve access to financial and technical services for local businesses. Additionally, a €21 million investment grant was signed with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to advance Egypt's Sustainable Green Industries Project. Rounding off the agreements, Minister Rania Al-Mashat signed a cooperation deal with 12 representatives from chambers of commerce, business associations, and the Federation of Egyptian Industries to scale up engagement with Hafiz and strengthen support for entrepreneurs and industrial leaders across Egypt.

Egypt Secures Spot in $1B Climate Investment Program: PlanningMin
Egypt Secures Spot in $1B Climate Investment Program: PlanningMin

Egypt Today

time6 hours ago

  • Egypt Today

Egypt Secures Spot in $1B Climate Investment Program: PlanningMin

Cairo – June 15, 2025: Egypt has been selected as one of only seven countries worldwide to benefit from the Climate Investment Funds' (CIF) $1 billion Industrial Decarbonization Program, aimed at reducing emissions in developing nations' industrial sectors. The announcement was made by Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, who emphasized that the selection from a competitive pool of 26 applicant countries underscores international confidence in Egypt's climate policies and green transformation agenda. The initiative, launched under the CIF's Clean Technology Fund (CTF), is the first of its kind to focus exclusively on industrial decarbonization in emerging markets. Egypt joins Brazil, Mexico, Namibia, South Africa, Turkey, and Uzbekistan as the first recipients of support from the program. According to Al-Mashat, Egypt's proposal was submitted in partnership with key international financial institutions, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The submission highlighted Egypt's strategic shift toward a green economy, institutional readiness, and the engagement of private sector actors in climate financing. 'This achievement affirms global trust in Egypt's vision and efforts to align national development strategies with climate goals,' Al-Mashat stated. 'We are committed to strengthening our institutional capacity and promoting investment policies that foster environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness.' The CIF noted that the seven selected countries were chosen based on an independent evaluation. The program aims to accelerate the transition to low-emission industrial systems, spur green job creation, and position participating countries to capitalize on a growing global market for environmentally sustainable goods—projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030. Al-Mashat also pointed to Egypt's heightened climate action momentum since hosting the COP27 summit in Sharm El Sheikh in 2022. During the summit, Egypt launched the 'NWFE' (Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy) country platform, an internationally recognized model that seeks to drive climate investment through partnerships involving the government, development agencies, and the private sector. In addition to the decarbonization initiative, Egypt was previously recognized by the CIF during COP27 as the top-ranked country in the North Africa and Europe region under the 'Nature, People, and Climate Investment' program—a separate $500 million initiative supporting projects in climate-smart agriculture, coastal restoration, and inclusive green development. Ongoing technical discussions are being held to leverage that funding within the NWFE framework. Tariye Gbadegesin, CEO of CIF, underscored the urgency of industrial decarbonization, particularly in emerging economies. 'The global race to decarbonize the industrial sector has begun, and emerging markets are leading the way,' she said. 'This is not just about emissions; it's about ensuring long-term prosperity, generating jobs, and producing the low-carbon materials essential to scaling renewable energy and powering the global economy.' Under the program, the selected countries will develop detailed investment plans in collaboration with multilateral development banks and private sector partners. Once approved by the CIF board, these plans will unlock access to highly concessional financing to scale up technologies like green hydrogen and low-carbon industrial processes. The CIF's Clean Technology Fund, valued at $9 billion, employs a groundbreaking private capital mobilization mechanism—one that reportedly generates $12 in additional investment for every $1 of CTF funding—making it a key tool for driving large-scale sustainable development.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store