The European Union in the World The European Commission's Delegation
to Egypt  
[EN]  -  Ar home   |   what's new?   |   site map   |   index   |   links   |   contacts  
 

 

What's new ?

 

o
o

EU Member States' Cultural Agenda – December 2008

o

New Jobs Available

o
Delegation of the European Commission announces the name of the Thirty (30) winners in its first photography competition
o
EU and Egypt sign agreement on Energy (2.12.2008)
o
Mediterranean Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme Information workshops in Ismailiah on 1 December and Alexandria on 3 December 2008 (25.11.2008)
o
“Universal Children Day – Focus on fight against child labour”, Joint Statement of Commissioners Ferrero-Waldner, Ashton, Michel and ?pidla (23.11.2008)
o
ROSETTA: ARCHITECTURE AND HERITAGE BETWEEN THE MEDITERRANEAN AND THE NILE (19.11.2008)
o
Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Bentita Ferrero-Waldner on the closing of Gaza crossings (18.11.2008)
o
EuroMedScola: school students from both sides of the Mediterranean at the European Parliament (14.11.2008)
o
The Jazz Factory: A European Arab Music Celebration (3.11.2008)
o
Final Regional Conference EUROMED AUDIOVISUAL II (2.11.2008)
o
Once again Caravan of the Euro-Arab Cinema: Launching of Docu'N Short (30.10.2008)
o
Mediterranean archaeology experts meet in Cairo (29.10.2008)
o
Exhibition ‘Ancient Egypt in the Mediterranean’ on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo (25.10.2008)
o
“International Conference on Avian flu” (Charm El-Sheikh: 24-26th Oct, 2008) (22.10.2008)
o
Cairo witnesses the signature of the contract to install a Ranging and Monitoring Integrity Station (METIS) in Alexandria (22.10.2008)
o
Commissioner Mandelson resigns to join UK government, Baroness Ashton of Upholland nominated to succeed him (7.10.2008)
o
Women, peace and security –it’s time to boost awareness and action on full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1325 (29.9.2008)
o
European Union and Palestinian Authority provide social allowances to over 46,000 Palestinian families facing hardship through PEGASE (22.9.2008)
o
"Egypt: Life in a picture; The Delegation of the European Commission organises its First Photography Competition in Egypt" (10.9.2008)
o
Joint declaration of the Paris summit for the Mediterranean (14.7.2008)
o
The European Commission Calls for Proposals for the Promotion of Human Rights in Egypt (14.7.2008)
o
Paris Summit will launch “Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean” (12.7.2008)
o
European Commission President Barroso: G8 agreement on climate goals keeps world on track for global deal in 2009 (8.7.2008)
o
Summary of remarks by Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, at the European Socialist Party Conference on the Middle East at the European Parliament (2.7.2008)
o
Lebanon: Commission increases its aid to the victims of the Nahr Al Bared crisis to €28 million (20.6.2008)
o
Statement by Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP on the truce in and around Gaza (19.6.2008)
o
Statement by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy on the truce between Israel and Hamas (18.6.2008)
o
EU provides allowance through PEGASE to over 41,000 Palestinian families facing hardship (17.6.2008)
o
Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press: A Palestinian journalist and a Lebanese student, winners of the 2008 edition (2.6.2008)
o
EU-Egypt first sub-committee on political matters (2-3 June 2008, Brussels) (2.6.2008)
o
EU supports Palestinian private sector through PEGASE PA arrears repayment scheme (2.6.2008)
o
Solutions for Women’s Issues in “Coiffeur Ashwaq” (29.5.2008)
o
Egypt and the EU announce grants for Research and Innovation (29.5.2008)
o
European Union Prize for Journalists - Committed to Human Rights, Democracy and Development - LORENZO NATALI PRIZE FOR 2008 (29.5.2008)
o
Statement by the EU Presidency on extension of the emergency law in Egypt (28.5.2008)
o
"Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean" - Commission adopts proposals to enhance the partnership between the EU and its Mediterranean neighbours (22.5.2008)
o
Statement by Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, on the agreement reached in Doha to end the political crisis in Lebanon (21.5.2008)
o
One big cultural weekend connects Alexandria to people across the Euro-Mediterranean region (15.5.2008)
o
Europe Day Message 2008 From Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood policy (7.5.2008)
o
Launch of the "Days of the Euro-Arab Cinema" focused on the "Dialogue with the Other" (6th - 12th May 2008, Cairo) (6.5.2008)
o
The Delegation of the European Commission in Egypt celebrates the 2008 Euro-Mediterranean Year of Dialogue between Cultures (5.5.2008)
• More info
o
4th EU-Egypt Association Council held in Luxembourg, 28 April (4.5.2008)
o
Launch of Townhouse Curatorial Program (18.3.2008)
o
EU provides direct support to 74,000 Palestinian civil servants and pensioners through PEGASE (6.3.2008)
o
TOURISM IN THE MEDITERRANEAN : TEN COUNTRIES MEET TO MAKE IT MORE SUSTAINABLE – EU-SMAP WORKSHOP, ISTANBUL, 19-21 FEBRUARY (16.2.2008)
o
International Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation - Statement by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy and Louis Michel, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid (6.2.2008)
o
Launching of the 2008 "Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press" (31.1.2008)
o
EU Funding available for Media Projects in Egypt (30.1.2008)
o
Javier Solana expressed concern with Gaza situation to the Palestinian Authority President (25.1.2008)
o
Risk and Capital Management Summit - Meeting the risk challenges of the Egyptian Financial Sector (21.1.2008)
o
International medical tourism seminar on December 11th, 2007 (11.12.2007)
o
10 December 2007 - International Human Rights Day - Message of Benita Ferrero-Waldner (10.12.2007)
o
Bring the peoples of Europe ‘Together in diversity!’ - Campaign launch of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 (4.12.2007)
o
Commission launches new scheme to increase links between research organisations throughout the world (30.11.2007)
o
THE EC DELEGATION IN CAIRO AND THE EGYPTIAN MINISTRY OF FINANCE TO CELEBRATE CO-OPERATION FOR SUPPORT OF CUSTOMS MODERNISATION AND REFORM UNDER THE TRADE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME “C” (TEP-C) (28.11.2007)
o
Cairo meeting on European development funds for young Arab filmakers (28.11.2007)
More info
o
BUSINESSMED, EU-SMAP AND UNEP CP/RAC - “Towards Sustainable Development” - Private Sector Opportunities Seminar in Cairo 27-28 November (27.11.2007)
o
TRADE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME (TEP-A) - Egypt and the EU: A Successful Partnership in Trade (17.11.2007)
o
Sustainable Development Training for NGOs Workshop begin 15 November in Marsaara/Helwan (15.11.2007)
o
Caravan of the Euro-Arab Cinema holds the Caravan Creative Workshop in Cairo from 10 to 30 November on "The Self and the City" (13.11.2007)
o
Mark in your calendar: Medibtikar Annual Conference in Cairo next 7th and 8th November (6.11.2007)
o
Once again Caravan of the Euro-Arab Cinema: Docu'n Short in Cairo from 4-8 November (4.11.2007)
o
Archive...

Commission contributes €14 million to the Euro-Palestinian Credit Guarantee Fund

Today the Commission is signing its €14 million contribution to the newly established European-Palestinian Credit Guarantee Fund. The Guarantee Fund, led by the German Development Bank (KfW), will support Palestinian small and medium size enterprises’ financing from local banks in the form of soft loans and grants. This €29 million Fund will be made up of contributions from the Commission (€14 million), KfW (€5 million), and the European Investment Bank (EIB) (€10 million). In addition to the Fund’s capital, the financing partners are providing technical assistance to the European-Palestinian Credit Guarantee Fund and partner banks with a view to strengthening the financial sector in the Palestinian Territories. Following Gaza disengagement, a special effort will be made to promote loans in Gaza. The creation of a loan guarantee scheme was an area highlighted by the Quartet Special Envoy for disengagement in his Rapid Action Plan as being important to support economic revival.

In Brussels, the Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, commented: “Small and medium enterprises can be the driving force for economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation. This initiative is a major step to revive the Palestinian economy.”

The Palestinian economy has been economically depressed and badly damaged since the onset of the second Intifada at the end of 2000. Five years of economic crisis have severely compromised Palestinian living standards with the International Monetary Fund estimating GDP per capita at $979 in 2004, down from $1,410 in 2000. Poverty and unemployment levels have risen significantly since the beginning of the second Intifada.

Official estimates show that there are about 93,000 small and medium enterprises operating in Palestine. Ninety percent of those employ 20 persons or less. The European-Palestinian Credit Guarantee Fund will target these enterprises.

The signing of the agreements is the result of extensive research, design, and donor-coordination. The Fund’s principal office is located in Ramallah and another affiliated office will be opened in Gaza. Local partner financial institutions have welcomed and supported this initiative which they consider as a major step to revive the economy.

The Commission has already set out its commitments made in 2005 to support the Palestinian people, including support for infrastructure reconstruction in the context of Gaza disengagement . The Commission is working on its 2006 programme of assistance.

For more information:

The EU's relations with West Bank and Gaza Strip:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/gaza/intro/index.htm

 

TOP Link to top of page