The grant agreement, from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), was signed by Minister of Planning and Economic Development and International Cooperation Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, in the presence of Minister of Industry and Transport Engineer Kamel Al-Wazir.
The signing was also attended by South Korean Ambassador to
Egypt Kim Yong-hyun, KOICA Egypt Regional Director Park Soyoung, and PVTD
Chairman Engineer Ihab Abdallah Ramadan.
The South Korean embassy in Cairo noted that the signing
coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two
countries this year, highlighting a shared commitment to sustainable
development and youth empowerment.
The $10 million project aims to significantly enhance
vocational training in car maintenance, with a focus on Electric Vehicle (EV)
and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engine technologies. It will also develop
specialized training materials for engine, chassis, electrical/electronics,
body repair, and painting.
The initiative seeks to increase employment and income
opportunities for graduates and foster cooperation between vocational car
maintenance centers and their industrial partners.
"Today, we celebrate not just a new project but three
decades of friendship with Egypt," Ambassador Kim said. "This
initiative will empower our youth and support a sustainable future in the
automotive sector. By focusing on cutting-edge technologies like electric
vehicles and CNG engine maintenance, we are preparing our young people for the
jobs of tomorrow."
Minister Al-Wazir expressed his thanks to the South Korean
government for its assistance in preparing qualified technical cadres in Egypt
using advanced Korean methods, especially in the field of eco-friendly cars. He
emphasized the need for the project to provide simulation systems for practical
training, as well as equipment for repairing EV batteries.
Minister Al-Mashat stated that the project complements the
broader efforts to leverage Korean grant resources to support Egypt's
development priorities, particularly in vocational education. She explained
that this aligns with the National Economic Development Narrative, which aims
to transition to a more productive economic model, localize industries, attract
foreign direct investment, and enhance labor market efficiency.
This project is the fifth in a series of collaborations
between KOICA and Egypt's PVTD, following four previous projects implemented
between 1993 and 2013. The prior initiatives supported curriculum development
and equipment provision at four vocational training centers in Cairo, Giza,
Alexandria, and Kafr El-Zayat.
KOICA is a South Korean governmental agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that implements development aid programs to combat poverty and support sustainable socio-economic growth in developing countries. Its Egypt office, established in 1998, focuses on projects supporting technical education for youth, digitalizing government services, and empowering women.