Sohag and Qena have seen 1,796 projects completed as part of the state’s Upper Egypt Local Development Program, while 779 others are still underway, Invest-Gate reports.

In a recent meeting, held in the presence of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El Saeed, Local Development Minister Mahmoud Shaarawy noted that almost 2,575 projects, valued at EGP 5.8 bn, are being executed in the above provinces during the current fiscal year as part of the program’s first phase, according to a Cabinet statement on May 31.

Development projects include potable water and sewage networks, as well as, transport and infrastructure projects, alongside economic development and others, coming to promote investment in the Upper Egypt governorates and enhance the competitive edge of each province separately.

In early FY 2020/21, work will commence for the establishment of four industrial zones in both governorates, with investments totaled at EGP 6 bn, Shaarawy pointed out, stressing that seven and nine technological centers have been carried out in Sohag and Qena, respectively.

The Upper Egypt Local Development Program, which is acclaimed by the World Bank, serves 5 mn out of the 8 mn targeted citizens, a matter which considerably contributes to reducing poverty rates in Sohag and Qena, the minister concluded.