Latest news with #IDSC
Egypt Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Today
IDSC: International tourism recorded 5% growth in the 1st quarter of 2025
Tourism - file CAIRO - 4 June 2025: The Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) of the Cabinet highlighted a World Tourism Organization report indicating continued recovery in international tourism during the first quarter of 2025, recording a 5 percent growth compared to the previous year, along with increased visitor spending and tourism revenues. This reflects the sector's resilience despite geopolitical and economic challenges and rising travel and tourism service prices. The report indicated that more than 300 million international tourists traveled in the first three months of this year; an increase of 14 million compared to the same period in 2024. This performance also exceeds 2019 figures by 3 percent. The report emphasized that tourism is emerging as a major service sector in every region of the world, providing millions of jobs and supporting a large number of commercial activities. It noted that the continued rise in the number of international arrivals, along with increased tourism spending, demonstrates the sector's strength despite crises. The report added that Europe welcomed 125 million international tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2025, a 2% increase compared to the previous year and a 5% increase over pre-pandemic levels. The Southern Mediterranean region saw similar growth of 2%, while Central and Eastern Europe recorded an 8% increase, although numbers remained below 2019 levels. The report indicated that Africa recorded strong growth of 9% compared to the previous year, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 16%. In the Americas, numbers rose by 2%, with some South American destinations achieving a remarkable 13% growth thanks to the Southern Hemisphere summer season. The Middle East recorded a slight increase of 1%, but arrivals remained 44% higher than pre-pandemic levels. In a related context, the Asia-Pacific region recorded the highest growth rate in the first quarter of 2025, at 12%, approaching 92% of pre-pandemic levels. Northeast Asia's performance stood out, with a 23% growth compared to 2024, reaching 91% of 2019 figures. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), international air travel demand increased by 8%, while air capacity increased by 7%. The report indicated that international tourism receipts data in the first quarter of 2025 showed strong growth in visitor spending in several destinations. Spain recorded a 9% increase, while Turkey achieved a 7% increase. Greece, Italy, and Portugal recorded a 4% growth. France also achieved a 6% growth, Norway achieved a 20% growth, and Denmark grew by 11%. In Asia and the Pacific, Japan saw a 34% increase in revenues, Nepal achieved 18% growth, while South Korea and Mongolia each recorded 14% growth. In the United States, the world's largest tourism revenue market, growth in the first quarter of 2025 was approximately 3%, following 14% in 2024. The report stated that 2024 data was revised to confirm that international tourism receipts, including revenues and air transport, reached $2.0 trillion, an 11% increase over 2023 and 15% above pre-pandemic levels. These receipts represent 6% of total global exports of goods and services and 23% of global trade in services. The report concluded that despite the strong performance, the global tourism sector faces ongoing challenges. Recent surveys of tourism experts indicated that slowing economic growth, rising travel costs, and increased customs duties are the most prominent risks. Declining consumer confidence and geopolitical tensions also emerged as influential factors that could cast a shadow over tourism performance in 2025.
Egypt Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt increases health budget to LE 496 Billion in 2024/2025
CAIRO – 2 June 2025: The Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) under the Egyptian Cabinet has revealed that Egypt has firmly established a robust pharmaceutical manufacturing base in recent years, significantly boosting both technical capabilities and production output. As a result, the country has achieved an impressive 91 percent self-sufficiency in medicine. Today, Egypt is home to more than 179 pharmaceutical factories, including 11 internationally accredited facilities, along with 150 factories for medical supplies, 5 for raw material production, and 4 specialized in biological products. Altogether, the nation operates over 986 pharmaceutical production lines, marking a major leap in local healthcare manufacturing. In a parallel effort to reinforce the healthcare system, the Egyptian government has increased the national health budget by 24.9 percent for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, raising the allocation to approximately LE 496 billion, up from LE 397 billion in 2023/2024. This increase meets the constitutional obligation for healthcare funding in the new state budget. Moreover, the government affirmed its continued commitment to the state-funded medical treatment program, with no interruptions planned. The budget allocated to this program has been raised by 16.1 percent, reaching LE 10.1 billion in 2024/2025, compared to LE 8.7 billion in the previous fiscal year. These developments reflect Egypt's strategic focus on health sovereignty and public wellbeing.
CairoScene
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
New App Digitally Maps Egypt's Urban Heritage
The Ministry of Culture has launched the Memory of the City app to preserve Egypt's urban history through digital storytelling, plaques, and interactive location-based features. May 29, 2025 The Ministry of Culture has launched Memory of the City, a mobile application designed to digitally document and preserve Egypt's urban heritage. The app was introduced during an official event at the Cairo Opera House, attended by Minister of Culture Ahmed Hanno and representatives from the National Organization for Urban Harmony (NOUH) and the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC). Developed by NOUH in collaboration with the IDSC, the app applies location-based technology and archival content to make Egypt's architectural and cultural history more accessible to the public. It includes several features aimed at promoting awareness and preservation of urban heritage across Egyptian cities. One key feature documents the residences of prominent Egyptian figures, marked by physical plaques that include QR codes linking to biographical details. The app also traces the origins of major street names across governorates, providing historical context as users navigate their surroundings. Architecturally significant buildings are catalogued in coordination with heritage institutions to support long-term preservation Using geolocation, the app notifies users when they are near a landmark of historical interest, transforming everyday movement through the city into a guided experience of Egypt's urban legacy. Memory of the City is available for download on major mobile platforms and is part of a broader initiative to strengthen public engagement with cultural heritage through digital tools.
Daily News Egypt
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt launches 'Memory of the City' app to document urban history
Egypt has launched the 'Memory of the City' smartphone application, designed to document the history of Egyptian cities, with officials stating its aim is to protect national identity and preserve the authentic spirit of urban areas. The application was introduced at a ceremony at the Small Hall of the Egyptian Opera House, attended by Ahmed Hanno, Minister of Culture. The National Organization for Urban Harmony (NOUH), headed by Mohamed Abu Saada, developed the app in collaboration with Osama Al-Gohary, Assistant to the Prime Minister and Head of the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC). Other attendees included Amr El-Bassiouny, Permanent Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, and Alaa Abdel Salam, Head of the Egyptian Opera House. Ahmed Hanno, Minister of Culture, remarked, 'This occasion holds special significance with the launch of the 'Memory of the City' application. It transcends being merely a digital project to become an effective tool for safeguarding our identity, documenting the collective memory of our cities, and reintroducing this heritage to new generations through a contemporary vision that respects history while engaging with the future.' He emphasised that through this initiative, the Ministry strives to 'protect the components of Egyptian identity and preserve the authentic spirit of our cities' amidst current global challenges. The Minister of Culture explained that the application is part of a comprehensive package of initiatives by the Ministry, in cooperation with relevant authorities, to consolidate national identity and enhance a sense of belonging. He described 'Memory of the City' as 'a living record of social, urban, and cultural history, combining images, information, and testimonies to reconnect people with places, and to highlight the aesthetics and transformations of our cities.' Hanno also stressed the importance of 'integrated efforts among state institutions,' not only to celebrate the past but also to present its symbols as inspiring models for current and future generations. He extended his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the project's implementation. Mohamed Abu Saada, Head of the NOUH, stated, 'In collaboration with the IDSC at the Council of Ministers, we are launching this project to keep pace with the current era and anticipate future developments.' Abu Saada described the 'Memory of the City' app as a technological platform designed to make culture easily accessible to citizens. He elaborated that the project encompasses three main initiatives: 'Lived Here,' which documents the residences of Egyptian figures and pioneers in various fields using plaques with QR codes that provide biographies and documentary information; 'Street Story,' which shares the histories behind the names of famous streets through informational plaques across different governorates; and 'Valuable Buildings,' which documents and aids in the preservation of distinguished architectural structures in cooperation with relevant institutions. Abu Saada pointed out that the application enables users passing through areas featuring these initiatives to receive notifications and alerts about significant places, figures, or valuable buildings, thereby enriching citizens' understanding of their urban surroundings' history. He also thanked Ahmed Hanno for his continuous support and Osama Al-Gohary for their fruitful cooperation, underscoring that the application is part of a broader endeavour to 'facilitate access to culture, and preserve heritage and national identity.' Osama Al-Gohary, Assistant to the Prime Minister and Head of the IDSC, said in his address, 'This is not merely an occasion to launch a digital application, but an important human and knowledge-based milestone in a long journey of collaborative work.' He added, 'The story of 'Memory of the City' did not emerge from a vacuum; its roots were established in the 'Lived Here' project, launched in 2017.' This initial project, he explained, began with copper plaques on buildings and has now expanded to over a thousand plaques distributed across Egypt's governorates. Al-Gohary affirmed that launching the application 'represents a natural evolution of the project.' He noted that it was designed to be 'simple, rich, and interactive, enabling users to see their city as he has never seen it before – with an eye that knows and respects.' He concluded his speech by stating, ''Memory of the City' is not an end, but the beginning of a larger vision through which we aspire to document all Egyptian cities and instill a respect for history in the consciousness of new generations.' Al-Gohary also expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Culture, Mohamed Abu Saada, and everyone who contributed to this achievement, stressing that this institutional partnership will yield more projects dedicated to heritage preservation. The launch ceremony featured a documentary film showcasing the application's content and functionality. It also included an honouring ceremony for Osama Al-Gohary and members of the scientific committees for the 'Lived Here' and 'Street Story' projects. The 'Memory of the City' application integrates all projects under the 'Memory of the City Series,' launched by the NOUH in collaboration with the IDSC. It aims to make these initiatives readily accessible to youth, younger generations, and individuals interested in heritage and architecture. The application underscores the NOUH's commitment to engaging with society using contemporary language to consolidate heritage awareness and foster its preservation.
Daily News Egypt
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Al-Mashat details Egypt's economic reform progress at IDSC conference
Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, on Tuesday detailed the nation's efforts to implement its National Programme for Structural Reforms and enhance macroeconomic stability. Al-Mashat was speaking at the annual scientific conference of the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), held in collaboration with Cairo University's Faculty of Economics and Political Science. The conference, themed 'Structural and Institutional Reforms in Egypt: The Road to Sustainable Growth,' was also attended by Dr Osama El-Gohary, Assistant to the Prime Minister and IDSC Chairperson; Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, President of Cairo University; Hanan Mohamed Ali, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University; and Omneia Helmy, Professor of Economics at the faculty and Chairperson of the conference. During her address, Al-Mashat stated that Egypt has made significant strides in economic reform over recent years, aiming to achieve macroeconomic stability, address structural imbalances, and bolster the economy's resilience. She said these efforts involved a combination of macroeconomic policy reforms and integrated structural and institutional reforms, implemented by various state agencies and overseen by her ministry. The minister explained that this ongoing process is increasingly acknowledged by the international community and global economic institutions. She noted that major institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank recently revised their growth forecasts upwards for the Egyptian economy in 2025 and 2026, even as they downgraded forecasts for many other countries due to growing complexities in the global economic landscape. Al-Mashat said this 'confirms the effectiveness of the reform policies adopted by the Egyptian state and the confidence of international partners in its path.' Al-Mashat added that Egypt aims to transform its economic model to achieve sustainable growth, based on tradable and exportable sectors, by stimulating investment, localising industry, and implementing measures to enhance the national economy's resilience and shock absorption capacity. She noted that economic and structural reform measures implemented since March 2024 contributed to a GDP growth rate of 4.3% during the second quarter of the 2024/2025 fiscal year, compared to 2.3% in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. 'Despite positive indicators, the most important aspect is the components of this growth and which sectors experienced greater growth,' Al-Mashat clarified. She stated that second-quarter growth was driven by the non-petroleum manufacturing sector, which recorded a growth rate of 17.74% for the third consecutive quarter, compared to a contraction of 11.56% in the same period of the previous fiscal year. Growth was also seen in the transportation and storage, tourism, and communications and information technology sectors, reflecting the impact of structural reforms aimed at enhancing productivity and supporting export-led growth, the minister said. Furthermore, Al-Mashat noted that structural and institutional reforms are a primary focus for the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation. These efforts are part of implementing the National Programme for Structural Reforms, in coordination with relevant ministries and in partnership with international financial institutions and development partners. This programme is based on three pillars: enhancing macroeconomic stability, improving the business environment and promoting the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy, and supporting the transition to a green economy. 'There is no doubt that structural reforms are a top priority in the government's programme until 2027, given the pivotal role these reforms play in consolidating macroeconomic stability and enhancing its ability to face external challenges,' she stated. In this context, Al-Mashat added that Egypt successfully implemented over 86 structural measures last year. These included enacting amendments to the Public Finance Law to set an annual ceiling on government debt, preparing a draft procedural guide for programme and performance budgeting, and taking measures to cancel exemptions granted to state-owned enterprises, alongside offering investment incentives and facilitating tax policies. The minister highlighted that her ministry is working to enhance coordination with partners, primarily the European Union and the World Bank, to mobilise funds supporting the state's general budget for the implementation of the national structural reforms programme. Egypt received approximately €1bn from the European Union by the end of 2024. Al-Mashat said the ministry is intensifying efforts with development partners to complete the second phase of the macroeconomic support mechanism and budget support, valued at €4bn, which will see the implementation of numerous structural reform measures to enhance fiscal policy control, stimulate the investment environment, and establish macroeconomic stability. Al-Mashat continued that, as part of advancing the reform process and achieving the transition to Egypt's new developmental economic model, the ministry is preparing the National Narrative for Economic Development. This executive plan aims to achieve alignment between the government programme and Egypt Vision 2030, setting clear targets that reflect governmental ambitions and are consistent with current global economic changes.
