CAIRO - 14 April 2024: Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ahmed Rustom, held talks on Tuesday with Eric Oeschlan, head of the Cairo office of the International Labour Organization, to review avenues for expanding joint cooperation in employment policy, skills development, and support for entrepreneurship.
The meeting focused on enhancing collaboration in promoting decent work opportunities, strengthening human capital, and empowering startups as part of broader development efforts aimed at sustaining inclusive economic growth.
Rustom reaffirmed the strength of Egypt’s partnership with the International Labour Organization, stressing that it is grounded in a development-oriented vision that links economic growth with job creation in coordination with the private sector. He said this approach is key to improving living standards and ensuring more inclusive development outcomes.
He noted that the current global environment, marked by geopolitical tensions and rising uncertainty, continues to place pressure on emerging economies. This, he said, requires more adaptive and forward-looking policy frameworks.
He added that Egypt is continuing its economic reform programme with a focus on strengthening resilience, enhancing economic flexibility, and improving the ability to respond to external shocks, based on lessons learned from previous crises.
The minister also underlined that maintaining macroeconomic stability remains a top priority, alongside continued support for productive sectors such as agriculture and industry. He pointed to ongoing efforts to address inflationary pressures and secure access to essential goods, while also adopting international best practices to boost competitiveness.
He emphasized that the private sector plays a central role in sustaining economic stability and driving growth.
On his part, Oeschlan praised Egypt’s efforts to cushion the impact of global and regional economic challenges, describing the measures as reflective of a strong commitment to safeguarding citizens and labour market stability.
He reiterated the ILO’s readiness to continue supporting Egypt’s national employment agenda through strategic cooperation focused on youth employment, entrepreneurship, and labour market policy reform. He also highlighted growing emphasis on green jobs and digital transformation as key pillars for aligning workforce development with global economic shifts.
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