Tuesday 22 Oct
Dr. Sherif Farouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, held a productive meeting on Sunday with a delegation from the World Bank to explore ways to enhance joint collaboration in the areas of social protection and food policies. Aligned with Egypt's sustainable development goals, the ministry seeks to bolster food security and strengthen social safety nets. The meeting provided a platform for discussing strategies to achieve these objectives.
A distinguished group of World
Bank experts, including Oguz Gentlinii, Senior Economist for Social Protection,
Joel Pinkston, Social Protection Economist, and Dr. Eman Helmy, joined the
discussion. Dr. Maged Osman, Executive Director of the Basira Center, also
contributed valuable insights.
The Minister emphasized the
critical role of social protection programs in supporting diverse segments of
society. Experts from the field shared valuable experiences and policy
frameworks from other countries regarding food support. Additionally, the
Basira Center's analysis of price incentives was reviewed.
Farouk underscored the
necessity of effective social protection policies and the importance of
rigorous evaluation before implementation to ensure optimal efficiency and
equitable outcomes.
The meeting also delved into the
price incentive analysis conducted by the Basira Center. Participants agreed
that this collaboration is instrumental in supporting Egypt's efforts to
improve the efficiency of support programs and ensure that resources reach
those who truly need them, thereby promoting social justice and elevating the
living standards of citizens.
The World Bank commended the
Ministry of Supply's commendable efforts. The Bank's Senior Economist for
Social Protection described the partnership as a model for the region. The
ministry's commitment to developing robust social safety nets aligns with a
strategic vision aimed at achieving food security and social justice.
The meeting concluded with a strong emphasis on the importance of strengthening technical cooperation with the World Bank. By leveraging the Bank's expertise, Egypt can benefit from advancements in food security and social protection policies. The Minister expressed his keenness for continued collaboration with the World Bank and various international partners to drive sustainable development across all vital sectors.
