US announces $129 million investment in Egypt’s development during Joint Strategic Dialogue

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in Cairo on Wednesday a US government investment of $129 million as part of his country’s well-established commitment to advancing joint US-Egypt priorities, said the US Embassy in Cairo in a press release on Thursday.

Blinken made the announcement during the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries, alongside Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty.

“This investment from the US government, through USAID, will bolster long standing support for Egypt’s reforms toward an economy driven by the private sector, advance public education, improve public health services, and strengthen responsive government institutions and transparency,” said the release.

“The US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue focused on partnering to achieve Egypt’s Vision 2030 for education, continuing to work to protect and preserve Egypt’s cultural heritage, and growing the tourism sector for the benefit of Egyptians and visitors for decades to come.”

“Additional announcements during the Strategic Dialogue included a US initiative to equip nine additional STEM schools across the country with state-of-the-art equipment for fabrication and science laboratories, US support to upgrade 80 Egyptian technical education schools, and the expansion of US funded University Career Centers to 19 more Egyptian universities – so young Egyptians can prepare for and obtain the jobs of the future.”

“It was also announced that three leading US universities – the Illinois Institute of Technology, the University of Minnesota, and Drake University – are signing agreements with local partners to explore opening branch campuses in Egypt – giving Egyptian students the chance to receive an American education right here in their home country.”

“In partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, USAID will continue to advance joint US-Egypt priorities such as university scholarships, teacher training to improve the quality of basic education, expanding STEM education, and conducting joint research in water, clean energy, and climate change.”

“USAID will also promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and trade, especially with women and youth. These new funds will strengthen partnerships to ensure that tourism is a sustainable driver of growth for the benefit of all Egyptians.”

“USAID will also continue ongoing work to improve family health outcomes and invest in joint efforts with the Government of Egypt to end all forms of violence against women and girls.”

“Beyond the robust and longstanding security cooperation that the United States and Egypt have developed since 1978, the United States has also invested over $30 billion in US economic development assistance since that same date.”

“The United States’ comprehensive development partnerships and programs in Egypt are fully aligned with national strategies to grow the economy and improve lives.”

“The US-Egyptian partnership means a brighter, healthier, and more prosperous future for generations of Egyptians to come.”

Explaining the US-Egyptian Partnership, the embassy added:

“* The US-Egyptian partnership means $129 million to bolster the private sector, advance public education, improve public health services, and strengthen responsive government institutions and transparency.

* The US-Egyptian partnership means the establishment of 21 new STEM schools and 10 new vocational applied technology schools for Egyptian high school students since 2011.

* The US-Egyptian partnership means three leading US universities – the University of Illinois, the University of Minnesota, and Drake University – are signing agreements with local partners to explore opening branch campuses in Egypt- giving Egyptian students the chance to receive an American education right here in their home country.

* The US-Egyptian partnership means $63 million dollars are being invested by the United States to establish 65 Career Centers at 53 universities across Egypt so that all public university students have the skills and opportunities they need to compete for quality jobs.

* The US-Egyptian partnership means $140 million of US funding over the past 30 years for cultural heritage preservation of Egyptian archeological and historical sites to benefit generations to come.

* The US-Egyptian partnership means that Egyptian cultural artifacts and sites are better preserved for future generations of Egyptians to enjoy. This investment in culture means the preservation of major sites from the El Shoqafa Catacombs of Alexandria in the North through Abu Simbal in the South, including work at the Sphinx at Giza; the Karnak, Luxor and Medinet Habu temples in Luxor; Khanum Temple in Abydos; Kom Ombo Temple in Aswan; the Imam al-Shafi’i Mausoleum in Cairo; among many others.

* The US-Egyptian partnership means 1,000 Egyptian high school students were given the opportunity to study for a full year in high schools across America.

* The US-Egyptian partnership means that more than 25,000 Egyptian high school and university students are learning English this year.

* The US-Egyptian partnership means more than 20,000 Egyptians have participated in US government exchange programs.

* The US-Egyptian partnership means that three American Spaces in Egypt, located in Alexandria, Maadi, and Cairo, conduct educational programming for Egyptian youth focused on civil society, climate change, economic prosperity, and security, with special emphasis on programs that empower women, counter disinformation, and teach digital and tech skills. In FY 2023, the Spaces reached 36,979 participants through approximately 839 programs.”