Egypt Explores Deeper Development Cooperation with the World Bank to Support Vision 2030
Dr. Ahmed Rostom met with Abdulaziz Al-Mulla and Ambassador Hisham Seif to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the World Bank Group, as part of ongoing efforts to support comprehensive and sustainable development and advance the goals of Egypt Vision 2030.
During the meeting, Dr. Rostom emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership with the World Bank as a key partner in supporting Egypt’s economic and structural reform agenda. He highlighted the need to direct concessional development financing and technical expertise toward projects with strong developmental impact, particularly in areas such as job creation, sustainable infrastructure, and investment in human capital, in order to promote more sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Both sides also discussed the possibility of implementing place-based development programs aimed at accelerating employment growth, with a focus on applying the economic clusters approach, which seeks to strengthen local value chains and stimulate productive activities across Egypt’s governorates.
Dr. Rostom noted that this approach aligns with the objectives of the presidential initiative Decent Life Initiative (Haya Karima), by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, expanding the domestic production base, and creating sustainable employment opportunities in villages and underserved regions.
The meeting also addressed the role of the World Bank Group in supporting Egypt’s efforts to expand innovative financing models that can stimulate infrastructure projects, enhance implementation efficiency, and reduce financial pressures on the state budget.
The discussions concluded with an emphasis on the importance of continued coordination between both sides to accelerate the implementation of joint programs and projects. The two parties also highlighted the role of the World Bank’s semiannual events—including the Spring Meetings and Annual Meetings—as platforms to showcase Egypt’s progress in economic reform and comprehensive development programs aimed at achieving sustainable development outcomes and improving citizens’ quality of life.