LE 54M allocated to casual workers in Alexandria as part of EIB-MSMEDA agreement

CAIRO - 1 October 2021: A total of L.E. 54 million was allocated to casual workers in Alexandria to implement a number of developmental projects, in accordance with an agreement signed between the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The agreement stipulates that the EU delegates a grant of EUR 15 million to EIB, to be used in improving the quality of life within the targeted governorates through upgrading infrastructure, generating daily jobs and creating the climate appropriate for the growth of small and micro enterprises in Egypt.

The cabinet-affiliated body, MSMEDA, allocated L.E. 54 million for Alexandria’s casual workers to implement projects in El-Amerya district in Alexandria, namely substituting/renovating potable water networks, extending sewage lines and establishing a market for peddlers, according to a statement. The fund is expected to provide 64 million daily jobs in this district.

This came as a delegation from the European Union visited a number of labor-intensive infrastructure projects in Alexandria last week, as part of a follow-up to activities of an agreement funded by the union with a grant from European Investment Bank (EIB).

The statement said that the agreement is financed by the European Union through a grant delegated to European Investment Bank (EIB) and MSMEDA.

The European Union delegation were headed by the International Cooperation Officer, Vera  Morandini, and the Head of Technical Support Team Dr. Hartwig Behnfeld. They visited a number of labor-intensive infrastructure projects carried out by MSMEDA in Alexandria.

The delegation was received by Deputy-governor Dr. Jackleen Azer and a group of MSMEDA officials presided by Head of Human and Community Development Central Sector Engineer Medhat Massoud and Manager of MSMEDA Alexandria Branch Mr. Mohamed Salah.

Engineer Massoud said that "MSMEDA has selected these projects in coordination with Alexandria governorate to meet the requirements of inhabitants and develop these areas through using casual workers to upgrade their skills to be better enabled to find suitable employment opportunities.”

Projects of the agreement are currently implemented in six governorates: Alexandria, Assiut, Giza, Menufia, Port Said and Sharqia. The agreement, worth 15 million Euros, is expected to generate around 321 thousand daily jobs for casual workers, Engineer Massoud added.