Yesterday, 22 November, saw HRD Antwerp’s CEO Ellen Joncheere, and Egypt Gold’s CEO Raafat Nassar sign a protocol of cooperation. Attending the signing ceremony were Egyptian Minister of Education and Technical Education, Tarek Shawki; Trade and Industry Minister Nevine Gamee; and Planning and Economic Development Minister Hala al-Said. Belgian Ambassador to Cairo, François Cornet d’Elzius, and Qalyoubiya Governor Abdel-Hameed al-Haggan also attended the event which took place at the premises of Egypt Gold Applied Technology School (EGTS).
According to Dr Shawki, this cooperation aims at enhancing the gold and jewellery manufacturing skills and expertise in the Egyptian market, through offering craftsmen internationally accredited training courses at the Egypt Gold Applied Technology School (EGTS). Located in the Cairo satellite town of Obour, EGTS was established in 2019 by Egypt Gold in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, as the first school in Egypt and the Middle East to educate students the manufacturing and design of jewellery; it also provides students with certified diplomas accredited worldwide. Egypt Gold is an Egyptian luxury jewellery company which specialises in the design, manufacture and marketing of jewellery; it was founded in 1935. HRD Antwerp is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, and is a leading authority in the field of jewellery and diamond grading; it was established in 1973.
During the signing ceremony, Dr Shawki pointed out that the Ministry of Education is striving to encourage partnerships with private businesses through establishing applied technology schools that would offer the market skilful craftsmen.
The Minister of Education was optimistic about this new partnership between HRD Antwerp and Egypt Gold; he expects it will have a positive impact on the development of the jewellery industry in Egypt, and would make Egypt Gold among the Middle East top notch companies in the field of diamond and precious stones grading.
Along the same lines, Minister of Planning Hala Said pointed out that the development of vocational schools is a priority in the State’s development plans. She stressed that vocational training is of utmost importance and will positively contribute to the economy. Dr Said expressed her happiness at the new partnership, explaining that in past years Egypt had a problem with the traditional technical specialisations of craftsmen not matching market demand. “In order to alter the social culture towards a distinguished technical education,” Dr Said said, “we had to link this type of education with industry, hence the model of EGTS is the best model for vocational education.”
Dr Nassar, Egypt Gold CEO said that this cooperation with HRD has a new dimension that will have an unprecedented impact on the diamond industry in Egypt. He expects, as a result of this cooperation, for Egypt to become a hub for diamonds trade and grading. For her part Ms Joncheere, HRD CEO said that the cooperation with the Egyptian side only underscores the leading and strategic position of Egyptian jewellery industry in the region.
Watani International
23 November 2021