Minister of Local Development Discusses Support Mechanisms for Small Projects in Governorates

Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment, held an extensive meeting at the ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, attended by several of her assistants and advisors. This meeting is part of her regular follow-up on the ministry’s operations and the progress of ongoing developmental and service projects across various governorates.

The meeting reviewed several service and developmental issues that are of public interest across the governorates, primarily focusing on efforts to enhance the institutional and legislative frameworks related to local development. It also covered various topics currently under discussion in different committees of the House of Representatives, as well as monitoring the implementation of initiatives and programs supporting local economic development and job creation in the governorates.

Additionally, discussions included measures taken to expedite the execution of strategic directives from the Ministry of Local Development and Environment while ensuring adherence to set timelines and achieving desired developmental targets.

Dr. Awad emphasized the importance of leveraging each governorate’s comparative advantages to boost local economic development, transforming these into investment opportunities aligned with national developmental visions and plans, while encouraging the establishment of small and micro industries.

The Minister also highlighted the necessity for intensified field monitoring efforts and continuous coordination with governorates and relevant authorities to ensure swift completion of ongoing projects. This is expected to directly improve service levels provided to citizens across all governorates, particularly in priority sectors affecting daily life.

The meeting also addressed the status of implementing performance-based budgeting for the ministry’s headquarters, its affiliated bodies, and governorates in line with national plans to adopt performance-based budgeting starting from fiscal year 2027/2028, with a pilot application for fiscal year 2026/2027. Dr. Awad reviewed a matrix of programs and performance for local administrative units that has been prepared, along with updates on training programs aimed at enhancing capacities within teams formed at the ministry, governorates, and bodies transitioning from traditional line-item budgets to performance-based budgeting. These efforts are being executed in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance at the Local Development Training Center in Saqqara.

Dr. Awad also presented an update on projects and programs being implemented in cooperation with various international development partners across several governorates, especially those related to solid waste management systems and local economic development, as well as training, technical support, and performance improvement in certain local services.

She stressed the importance of maximizing benefits from existing partnerships with international supporting institutions to facilitate knowledge transfer, successful experiences, and provide necessary technical and financial support for priority projects in alignment with government objectives consistent with Egypt’s national strategies.

In closing, Dr. Manal Awad called for continued precise monitoring of all ongoing projects and programs while preparing periodic reports on performance metrics. She emphasized addressing any obstacles encountered to ensure that targeted developmental and service goals are achieved across various governorates.