With an estimated population of 100 million people, Egypt is the most populous country the Middle East and the third-most populous in Africa. Egypt’s Gross Domestic Product was worth USD 235.37 billion in 2017 and the country had a growth rate of 4.2 percent the same year (World Bank 2018). Development challenges include generating sufficient labour market growth to meet the job needs of a large and growing population, high overall unemployment and sustained high inflation, which has significantly eroded household purchasing power.

The Government of Egypt has recognized these challenges and set ambitious development targets to reach through the reform programme Sustainable Development Strategy Egypt Vision 2030 with pillars on economic development, social justice, knowledge and innovation. In implementing the SDGs Government of Egypt has embarked on major economic reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and promote growth. Reforms aim to reduce unemployment and improve the business and investment climate. Signs are encouraging with a growth forecast of 5% in 2018, rising to 5.8% in 2020 (World Bank 2018) and a gradual lowering of the unemployment level. Development targets include

EGYPT’S DEVELOPMENT TARGETS

With the new vision, UNIDO continues support Egypt to achieve social and economic growth through technical expertise and capacity-building measures that promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Leveraging extensive worldwide networks, UNIDO works with the Government of Egypt and the Egyptian private sector to reinforce its competitive position and open new market avenues. UNIDO assists in identifying job opportunities for youth, promotes circular economy and green technologies, and promotes sharing economic gains to lagging behind regions such as Upper Egypt. 

UNIDO’s cooperation in Egypt is underpinned by the UN partnership Development Frame work for Egypt (UNPDF), which was agreed in March 2018 for the period from 2018 to 2022. As part of the UNPDF, UNIDO is engaged with the Government of Egypt and its civil society in initiatives related to agro-industry development, human security, small and medium enterprise development, job creation, youth employment, energy efficiency and renewable energies, the implementation of Montreal Protocol activities, and promotion of green industries. UNIDO’s portfolio in Egypt includes:

• A strong emphasis on agro-industries.
• The promotion of a value chain approach in strategic sectors such as cotton. 
• The development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and clusters.
• A priority on youth employment as one of the greatest challenges facing Egypt.
• Local economic development including rural cluster development, technological upgrading, youth-led enterprises, agro-value chain approaches and a community-led, participatory approach.
• The promotion of sustainable investment and eco-industrial parks.