
Planning Minister partakes in WFP roundtable on debt swaps for development
Mashat made the remarks during a World Food Program (WFP) roundtable discussion hosted by Spain on debt swaps for sustainable development and building resilient food systems, the ministry said in a press release on Friday 28/3/2025.
Participants explored practical ways to enhance policy and operational frameworks for debt swaps, and how to mobilize global support for integrating the debt for development swap tool into the international development finance agenda.
Reviewing Egypt's debt swap experience as well as her ministry's role in this regard, Mashat showcased the country's success stories, including the fruitful cooperation with Italy, which helped in securing the funds needed for 114 development projects in various fields, and a debt swap program with Germany under Egypt's Nexus on Water, Food and Energy (NWFE) platform – a part of Egypt's National Climate Change Strategy (NCCS) 2050.
Mashat shed light on the results of the debt swap program with Germany as well as the development projects pursued under the program to provide better school feeding and quality education, rehabilitate hydroelectric plants, and improve drinking water and sanitation services.
She also highlighted ongoing projects under the third tranche of the swap program with Germany, which covers a set of projects to combat school dropout and child labor, along with some energy projects.
The roundtable discussion was held in preparation for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), set for June 30 – July 3 in Seville, Spain.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al-Ahram Weekly
5 days ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt launches platform to map its progress toward 2030 SDGs - Economy
The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation has launched a new digital platform to track progress toward the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the country's 27 governorates. Announced on Wednesday, the Sustainable Development Goals Data Platform for Governorates offers an interactive, regularly updated dashboard that allows policymakers, researchers, and the public to monitor regional performance on all 17 SDGs. It aims to support data-driven decision-making and help align national and local efforts with Egypt's Vision 2030 development strategy. 'Governorates are at the heart of Egypt's sustainable development strategy,' said Planning Minister Rania Al-Mashat. 'This platform allows us to better allocate resources, respond to local needs, and ensure balanced development nationwide.' Built on official data from national agencies, including the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), the platform features an interactive map ranking governorates by performance on key development indicators. It draws on internationally recognized methodologies, including those from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Each governorate is evaluated based on three main metrics: the gap between its current standing and its 2030 targets, the annual rate of improvement needed to reach those targets, and how it compares to other governorates on specific indicators. The platform builds on earlier SDG localization reports issued by the ministry in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 2021 and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in early 2025. According to the ministry, the tool is intended to guide more efficient public investment, enhance oversight of development financing, and empower local governments to accelerate progress through targeted action. The platform is publicly accessible through here. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:


Al-Ahram Weekly
6 days ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt secures $1.8 bln trade finance from ITFC to support energy, food needs - Economy
Egypt has secured $1.8 billion in trade financing from the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) so far this year, the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation said on Tuesday. The funds include $1 billion allocated to the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and $814.2 million to the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), reflecting Egypt's reliance on the ITFC to meet its energy and essential goods requirements. The announcement followed a meeting in Cairo between Egypt's Minister of Planning, Rania Al-Mashat, and the ITFC's CEO, Hani Salem Sonbol, where both sides pledged to deepen cooperation across key sectors, including energy, trade, food security, and digital development. 'The ITFC continues to be a vital partner in supporting Egypt's trade and economic resilience,' said Al-Mashat. 'This year's financing reflects the strength of our relationship and the alignment between national development goals and regional trade integration.' Since its establishment, the ITFC has extended a total of $22.2 billion to Egypt—$20.5 billion since the body's formation and $1.7 billion beforehand, making Egypt one of its largest and most consistent beneficiaries. The Cairo talks also touched on Egypt's upcoming National Narrative for Economic Development, a reform roadmap aimed at boosting exports, industrial growth, job creation, and foreign direct investment. Al-Mashat said economic reforms introduced since March 2024 had helped stabilize Egypt's macroeconomic environment and improve conditions for investment. Sonbol praised Egypt's progress, describing the partnership as 'strategic' and pledging continued support. 'We look forward to scaling our joint efforts to create more inclusive and resilient trade ecosystems,' he said. The two sides also reviewed ongoing initiatives, including the second phase of the STEP 2 export training programme, the Women in Trade initiative under the regional AFTIAS 2.0 programme, and funding for research centres and training institutes designed to enhance Egypt's export capacity and innovation potential. The meeting concluded with a commitment to increase coordination between ITFC and ministry technical teams to co-design development projects and maximise impact. 'This partnership is no longer just about financing—it's about creating a development platform that supports Egypt's long-term transformation and competitiveness,' Al-Mashat said. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:


Egypt Independent
6 days ago
- Egypt Independent
Egypt welcomes coordination with South Africa under its G20 presidency to advance GFS reform
Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat said Egypt welcomes coordination with South Africa within the framework of its presidency of the G20 to push forward restructuring the Global Financial System (GFS) and achieve tangible progress in development financing, highlighting the joint role that Egypt and South Africa play as 'cornerstones' of the African continent in shaping and guiding the sustainable development agenda both regionally and internationally. During a bilateral meeting held on Sunday, July 27, 2025, between the minister of planning and South Africa's Minister in Presidency Responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Lydia Ramokgopa to enhance bilateral cooperation and align visions on regional and international development issues – held on the sidelines of Egypt's participation in the G20 Development Ministers' Meetings hosted and chaired by South Africa in July – Mashat voiced sincere appreciation to the government and people of South Africa for inviting Egypt to participate in the G20 meetings, noting that Egypt has actively participated in G20 discussions over the past five years, reflecting its influential role in global development efforts.