Egypt, Switzerland to boost co-op in social solidarity field

CAIRO – 14 December 2017: Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Wali met Swiss Ambassador to Cairo Paul Garnier and International Cooperation Official at the Swiss embassy Karen Henchoz on Wednesday in Cairo to discuss joint cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, Wali reviewed a number of tailored projects by the ministry such as the Takaful and Karama social safety program, which covers the country’s poorest families, as well as the Disability Act that is supposed to be ratified by the Parliament within days in accordance with President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s declaring of 2018 as the year for “disabled people.”


The meeting discussed a set of joint cooperation aspects in the social field between Egypt and Switzerland – Press photo
Wali also clarified that executive regulations are being prepared for the NGOs law, which will be issued by the prime minister, with an aim to pave the way for NGOs in Egypt.

Activities of seven Swiss-funded NGOs were also discussed during the meeting; the NGOs received around LE 26 million of finance over the past two years.

For his part, Garnier commended the strenuous efforts that have been exerted by Wali since she came to office, pointing out that she is one of the ministers who have the necessary experience to carry out the ministry’s duties.

The Swiss Ambassador also clarified that $ 20 million were allocated for the activities that will be executed in cooperation with the Egyptian government, pointing out that 50% of the projects are dedicated to social protection programs.

According to Garnier, the projects come in light of the joint declaration that was signed between Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr and Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch to renew cooperation between Egypt and Switzerland for the achievement of SDGs in Egypt. The joint declaration includes strategy of the Swiss side in Egypt for 2017-2020.

At the end of the meeting, Garnier invited Wali to visit Switzerland to stand on the Swiss experiences in the social solidarity field.