Sisi prioritizes development of Upper Egypt governorates: min.

CAIRO - 11 February 2020: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi attaches great importance to the local development program being carried out in the Upper Egypt governorates of Qena and Sohag, said Local Development Minister Mahamoud Shaarawy on Tuesday.

The program is partially funded by the World Bank (WB) with a sum of $500 million alongside a $457 million contribution by the government.

The minister made these remarks during a meeting with a WB delegation under Regional Director for the WB Group's Sustainable Development Department for the Middle East and North Africa (MNA) region Ayat Soliman, on the fringe of his current visit to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi, according to a press release by the Local Development Ministry.

Minister Shaarawy is leading Egypt's delegation to the World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi, which take place on February 8-13.

The program has achieved remarkable progress throughout the past period as regards the rate of projects' implementation, the minister said, noting that the development projects intend to support infrastructure services, economic development, and creating permanent job opportunities for Qena and Sohag residents.

Meanwhile, the WB delegation expressed appreciation and gratitude for Shaarawy's key participation in the urban forum.

The delegation, also, hailed achievements realized by the local development program in Upper Egypt following a mid-term assessment it carried out during its last visit to Cairo.