Ministry of Planning holds a Training Session on “Preparing Feasibility Studies,” in cooperation with MSMEDA

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development held a training session on “Preparing Feasibility Studies,” in Cooperation with the Egyptian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), as a continuation of the following up work of the 5 winning development projects in the Youth for Development Initiative competitions, as well as developing the skills of youth participating in the development projects competitions for the academic year 2022-2023.

Director of the International Cooperation Office at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development Ambassador Hazem Khairat, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Head of the Human Rights Unit at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, and General Coordinator of the Ministry's Youth for Development Initiative Dr. Mohamed Alaa, Assistant Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Universities and General Coordinator of the Youth for Development Initiative in the council Dr. Dalia Khalil (via video conference), Senior Economist and Executive Officer of the initiative Aisha Ghoneimy, Senior Official in the Central Sector for Financing Small Projects at the Department of Central Credit at MSMEDA and Director of Economic Empowerment at the National Project for the Development of Egyptian Families Engy Al-Salhi attended the training session.

During the opening of the training session, Amb. Hazem Khairat expressed his happiness with the youth participating in the project. He described them as creative and innovative, expecting a significant impact and contributing to building Egypt's future.

Furthermore, he stressed the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development’s interest in developing youth skills and raising their capabilities. He also advised the youth participating in the training program to continue and fight to achieve their dreams. He advised them to never give up no matter what challenges face them.

Meanwhile, Dr. Alaa pointed out that the program comes within the framework of the continued efforts of the Youth for Development initiative to raise awareness and motivate young people to participate in ideas, policies, and initiatives that serve the SDGs in Egypt.

He then explained that the training session would focus on a critical topic for development projects: preparing feasibility studies. He also indicated that those in charge of the initiative are looking forward to celebrating the winners of the year’s competition in July of each year. In addition, they are looking forward to following up on the winning teams in the past and learning more about their projects’ status.

Dr. Dalia Khalil said that the program aims to assist the participating teams in this year's competition. The initiative also aims to support the successful teams from last year's competition. She also stressed the initiative's keenness for the winning teams' projects to shine bright and be implemented on the ground.

Support for winning teams is provided through cooperation between many institutions, bodies, and supporting entities. These include MSMEDA, the UNDP, the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (NIGSD), and universities.

Moreover, she mentioned that these projects contribute to solving problems and community development.

It is worthwhile to note that the training program included an introduction to the Enterprise Development Agency and its achievements. It also included financial and non-financial services, and how to prepare feasibility studies for projects.