Cairo: CEO of the Micro Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA) Bassil Rahmi has emphasized the agency's dedication to enhancing its strategic alliances with international development organizations, especially those committed to empowering women economically and supporting female entrepreneurs.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Rahmi's comments were conveyed by Raafat Abbas, Deputy CEO of MSMEDA, at the closing conference of the Women's Entrepreneurship Support Program. This program was executed by MSMEDA with financial backing from the French Development Agency (AFD) and technical assistance from Entrust for Management and Development Consultancy. Rahmi articulated that MSMEDA's strategy is based on a vision to economically empower Egyptian women, promoting their roles as business leaders and contributors to the national economy.

This vision aligns with the objectives of AFD and was realized through the Women's Entrepreneurship Support Program, initiated in partnership with the agency in 2020. The program successfully financed approximately 24,000 micro and small projects across different productive sectors in both rural and urban areas, with a significant emphasis on Upper Egypt and the Nile Delta.

These initiatives have generated 60,000 employment opportunities in collaboration with a diverse range of intermediary financial institutions, including banks, NGOs, and microfinance companies. The program further facilitated entrepreneurial ventures in specialized sectors, such as food industries, garment production, and traditional crafts.

Rahmi commended the robust strategic partnership between MSMEDA and AFD, underscoring their mutual dedication to prioritizing women's economic empowerment as a key national agenda that supports Egypt's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also reiterated the agency's commitment to collaborating with development partners to ensure the lasting impact of the program, empowering more female entrepreneurs to play pivotal roles in Egypt's economy.