This week, Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed five agreements worth $45 million to support joint priorities in health, education, governance, and agriculture across Egypt. According to Ahram Online, Investment and International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr emphasized that the agreement further affirms the strategic and economic relations between Egypt and the U.S.

Read more about Egypt’s partnership with USAID as well as other news you may have missed about Egypt in this week’s email, including:

1. Egypt, U.S. Sign Five Agreements Worth $45 Million To Support Health, Education, Governance and Agriculture
2. Egypt Praises U.S. for Releasing $195 Million of Foreign Military Financing
3. Egyptian Economic Growth Reaches Highest Rate in 10 Years at 5.3%
4. President El Sisi Inaugurates World’s Largest Wind Farm and other Major High-Efficiency Power Plants
5. 37 Egyptian Women Graduate From USAID-Sponsored MBA Programs

EGYPT, U.S. SIGN FIVE AGREEMENTS WORTH $45 MILLION TO SUPPORT HEALTH, EDUCATION, GOVERNANCE AND AGRICULTURE
On 25 July, Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation (MIIC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed five agreements worth $45 million to support joint priorities in health, education, governance and agriculture across Egypt. The grants include $5 million for family planning and health research, $27 million for higher education and scientific research, $27 million for university training and scholarships, $3.5 million to increase the income of agriculture workers in Upper Egypt, and $5.3 million to boost the capacities of Egypt’s justice system, improve electoral processes, and help prevent violence against women. “These agreements in health, education, governance and agriculture reflect our strong and enduring partnership and our continuing commitment to work with the Government of Egypt towards a brighter economic future for the Egyptian people,” said USAID Mission Director to Egypt Sherry F. Carlin.

EGYPT PRAISES U.S. FOR RELEASING $195 MILLION OF FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING
Following the U.S. State Department’s decision to release $195 million of foreign military financing to Egypt, Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid stated that Egypt emphasizes the significant relations between the two countries and that it is keen to support bilateral ties, according to Egypt Today. In addition to the release of funds, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke by phone regarding the strength of the Egypt and U.S. partnership, including discussing economic progress and regional developments. According to the State Information Service (SIS), Minister Shoukry said Cairo is keen on continuing coordination with the U.S. on current regional developments to maintain peace and stability, and that Egypt pays great attention to boosting relations with the U.S.

EGYPTIAN ECONOMIC GROWTH REACHES HIGHEST RATE IN 10 YEARS AT 5.3%
This week, Reuters reported that Planning Minister Hala Al Saeed said that Egypt’s GDP grew by 5.3% in the 2017/2018 fiscal year, representing the highest rate of growth Egypt has experienced in 10 years. This news comes as Egypt continues to implement its economic reform program in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund. Finance Minister Mohamed Maait also said in a statement that Egypt’s budget deficit narrowed, falling below 10% for the first time since 2011. According to Deputy Minister of Finance Ahmed Kachouk, Egypt achieved a primary fiscal surplus for the first time in 15 years and tax revenues increased by 36% in the last fiscal year.

PRESIDENT EL SISI INAUGURATES WORLD’S LARGEST WIND FARM AND OTHER MAJOR HIGH-EFFICIENCY POWER PLANTS
On 24 July, President El Sisi inaugurated four electricity megaprojects, including the world’s largest wind-generated power station, and three high-efficiency gas fueled power plants that can produce 14.4 gigawatts, capacity equivalent to 50% of Egypt’s electricity grid. According to Egypt Today, the Gabel El Zeit wind farm consists of three projects, including 390 wind turbines with a total capacity of 580 megawatts. “[The] Gabel El Zeit power plant is the largest station in the world in terms of area, number of turbines and capacities generated from the plant,” said plant manager Osama Noman.

37 EGYPTIAN WOMEN GRADUATE FROM USAID-SPONSORED MBA PROGRAMS
On 26 July, USAID celebrated the graduation of 37 Egyptian women who received USAID scholarships to earn their MBA at premier universities in the U.S., according to a statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. “These graduates join hundreds of USAID scholarship recipients who are making a difference in Egypt,” said USAID Egypt Mission Director Sherry F. Carlin. “The U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative is a multi-year investment in Egypt’s future, but the impact can last a lifetime.” Since its launch in 2014, nearly 1,000 men and women have received scholarships for undergraduate and graduate degrees through the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative, according to the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.