International Cooperation Minister Rania El Mashat discussed at a meeting with New Zealand Minister of Agriculture and Rural Communities Damien O’Connor means of strengthening development cooperation with African countries via Egypt.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of Mashat’s participation in the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, which runs from 16 to 19 November in Singapore, according to a statement released by the International Cooperation Ministry on Thursday.

Mashat briefed O’Connor on international partnerships established by her ministry with several bilateral and multilateral development partners to boost sustainable farming systems in Egypt, support rural communities and promote food security, the statement added.

She explained that the State cooperated with the WFP to execute agricultural development projects in a number of villages in the Upper Egypt, which in turn contributed to increasing farmers’ income and helping women integrate into rural businesses, in addition to empowering girls.

Mashat also cited the establishment of innovation and knowledge exchange centers, including the Luxor Center, which serve as platforms for achieving food security and addressing malnutrition among developing countries.

The international cooperation minister reviewed the presidential initiative “Decent Life”, which aims to attain integrated development in the Egyptian countryside.

Source: State Information Service Egypt