Egypt and the European Union bolster cooperation with increased funding and digital initiatives to modernise supply chains, enhance food resilience, and ensure stability amid global uncertainties.
Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Sherif Farouk has emphasised the European Union’s (EU) pivotal role as a key partner for Egypt in advancing food security and modernising supply chains. During a recent meeting with Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, head of the EU Delegatio...
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n to Cairo, Farouk highlighted the state’s commitment to enhancing commodity circulation systems, ensuring quality, and opening new avenues for Egyptian exports. The dialogue forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between Egypt and the EU in food security and internal trade.
Ambassador Eichhorst expressed the EU’s strong support for Egypt’s ambition to function as a regional hub linking diverse markets. She reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to aid Egypt in developing supply chains that directly benefit consumers and enhance the global competitiveness of Egyptian goods. The meeting also included Eva Staminova, Program Officer for Agriculture and Health, signifying a focused approach on agricultural and health-related aspects within the cooperation framework.
Minister Farouk elaborated on several priorities, including securing strategic commodities, refining the food subsidy system, and advancing the unified card project aimed at transforming the subsidy distribution model to improve efficiency. He revealed that future initiatives will strongly focus on digital transformation and internal trade development, reinforcing a foundation for food security and sustainable economic growth.
This recent engagement parallels the broader financial and developmental support flowing from the EU towards Egypt’s food security goals. Notably, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has committed €90 million to the Egypt Food Resilience Project, as announced in multiple reports. This funding targets the enhancement of Egypt’s strategic wheat reserves through modernisation of grain silos and storage facilities. Upgrading this infrastructure is designed to mitigate the risks posed by global market disruptions and climate change, ultimately reducing grain waste and benefiting millions of Egyptians.
The Food Resilience Project, backed by a combined €210 million package including contributions from the EU and the World Bank, aims to improve logistics and storage capacity managed by Egypt’s General Authority for Supply Commodities. These investments seek to bolster the country’s long-term ability to secure food supplies and stabilise bread costs, a critical priority given bread’s staple status in the Egyptian diet.
During her visit to Egypt, Dubravka Šuica, the EU Commissioner for Mediterranean Affairs, endorsed this collaboration, meeting with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and senior officials to reinforce support. The concessional financing arrangement signed by Minister Farouk alongside Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Al Mashat, and Commissioner Šuica, underscores a strategic partnership aimed at addressing both economic and social challenges linked to food security.
Complementing this financial aid, the EU’s engagement aligns with Egypt’s internal reform agenda, involving enhanced digitalisation of supply chains and subsidy systems that aim to improve transparency and consumer benefits. The cooperation is expected to deepen through continued coordination and consultation, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable development goals in the region.
While the EU’s support is significant, these efforts also underscore the broader regional importance of Egypt as a grain hub, vital for food security stability across North Africa and the Mediterranean. The integration of modern infrastructure with digital transformation initiatives portrays a forward-looking approach, integrating international financing with domestic reforms to safeguard food supplies amid global uncertainties.
Together, these coordinated initiatives reflect a collaborative model where international support and national policy intersect to address critical food security needs, enhance economic resilience, and strengthen Egypt’s role in regional and global supply chains.
Source: Noah Wire Services
