The World Bank has praised the “Upper Egypt Local Development Program” as a practical model for integrated development. The program supports a comprehensive approach to economic competitiveness and job creation, with investments totaling 12.8 billion Egyptian pounds. Implemented by the Egyptian government through the Ministry of Local Development and partially funded by the World Bank, the program has established a unique developmental model across four governorates: Sohag, Qena, Minya, and Assiut, from 2019 to 2024. By adopting “economic clusters,” the program has demonstrated its ability to bring about real transformation in the local economy, earning acclaim from the World Bank and local business leaders. The program focuses on supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises through economic clusters, with a comprehensive initiative supporting 12 selected clusters based on local competitive advantages at a cost of approximately 480 million Egyptian pounds. These clusters include agricultural, industrial, and artisanal sectors, such as pomegranates in Assiut, onions in Sohag, and medicinal and aromatic plants in Qena, Assiut, and Minya. The program has benefited over 72,000 economic entities, with more than 47,000 business owners improving their operational conditions. Sales of cluster members increased by an average of 29.75%, surpassing the regional average of 19.2%. Agricultural clusters have made significant progress in applying international quality standards, enhancing their access to global markets. The program also invested in capacity building, with over 77% of cluster members receiving specialized training in financial management and marketing. More than 500 promising economic clusters have been identified across 25 governorates, covering diverse sectors from handicrafts to export-oriented agriculture.
— new from اليوم السابع
