70 million for agri-projects
The African Development Bank (AfDB) will provide Egypt a USD70-million loan to finance agricultural projects. The loan, which targets farmers and workers in the sector, is expected to create around 60,500 job opportunities, the bank said. Some 5,000 small businesses will be financed through the loan, which aims at improving the income and economic standards of the poor in rural areas. AfDB said the project will assist Egypt in achieving its 2007-2012 national development plan to create 750,000 jobs per year.
First outside Japan
This month will see the opening of the Japanese University for higher studies at Burg al-Arab some 70km southwest Alexandria. At an investment of some EGP350 million the university is the first Japanese one outside Japan. It will include seven departments for scientific topics, as well as two for international business administration and cross-culture studies.
Europe lends a hand
The European Commission will grant Egypt some of 140 million Euros as part of the annual work programme of the European Neighbourhood and partnership for the year 2009. Some 110 million Euros will go towards supporting reforms in primary health care, in particular the transition to a model of family health, which covers the improvement of health facilities, training and retraining of staff, and health care units. Twenty million Euros will be granted for strengthening the ongoing twinship of the European Commission between Egyptian authorities and the governments of member states of the European Union. The remaining 10 million Euros is assigned for a leading project which will be the basis for a strategy of rural development on a larger scale in Egypt.
Ten agreements
Jordan and Egypt have concluded 10 cooperation agreements, memoranda of understanding and executive programmes to bolster joint cooperation. Among others, the agreements cover cooperation in the field of bourses, water, sanitation and drinking water, higher education, industry, labour, culture, and education. The two sides have agreed on timeframes to implement the signed agreements within a specific and clear framework.
Winning films
To honour its 20th anniversary, the Cairo International Film Festival for Children is planning a week-long celebration for its upcoming round which begins on 4 March. The most exciting part about the celebration will be the screening of all 20 films which won the golden award over the past 20 years.