Cairo: Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk, Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad, and Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem convened for an extensive coordination meeting to evaluate the implementation progress of the "Productive Village" initiative.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting was attended by key figures such as Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Industries Mohamed El Sewedy, representatives from the Ministries of Planning and Economic Development and Social Solidarity, as well as officials from relevant agencies and representatives of industrial chambers. The initiative aims to economically empower rural Egypt and achieve sustainable development, aligning with the directives of political leadership.
The ministers examined surveys and field visits conducted by inter-ministerial teams to assess the productive potential of targeted villages. These efforts aim to transform villages into integrated production hubs by establishing economic entities and small to medium-sized industrial projects tailored to each village's unique advantages. Technical reports on various villages across different governorates were also discussed, leading to the selection of an initial group of villages with adequate resources to integrate production units into local supply chains, creating sustainable employment opportunities, especially for young people and women within the presidential Decent Life initiative.
The ministers emphasized the need for coordination among participating entities to enhance infrastructure, streamline licensing procedures, and expand social protection and financing through economic empowerment programs. Minister Farouk highlighted that the initiative is crucial for improving living standards in rural areas while promoting food security and sustainable agricultural development. He also mentioned collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to enhance the capacities of small-scale farmers.
Minister Awad stated that the initiative seeks to utilize unused government-owned buildings and vacant lands in Decent Life villages by converting them into industrial units, particularly in the textile and food industries. This approach leverages locally available raw materials and labor, creating more job opportunities. She noted that governorates would make facilities and plots available to the private sector in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and the Federation of Egyptian Industries.
Minister Hashem pointed out that the diversity of surveyed land plots allows for a wide range of industrial projects, including standalone factories and small industrial complexes. He mentioned that the identified land would fall under the Industrial Development Authority, with most sites already serviced or near existing utilities. The initiative is expected to reduce post-harvest losses by establishing food-processing industries close to agricultural production areas.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue the joint task force's work to finalize survey data integration and prepare a unified implementation report. This report will outline the executive plan, timetable, and expected investment returns, set to be submitted to the prime minister and political leadership to launch the implementation phase of the Productive Village initiative.