|
EU AND EGYPT SIGN NEW GRANT
AGREEMENT FOR
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
FOR €11 MILLION [EGP 85 MILLION]
The European Union and the Egyptian Government will sign
a new grant financing agreement worth €11 million [EGP
85 million] in support of the Egyptian government’s
Research, Development and Innovation initiatives. During
the signature ceremony, the Egyptian side will be
represented by H.E. Dr. Fayza Abu El Naga, Minister of
International Co-operation; and H.E. Dr. Hany Helal,
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The European Union will be represented by the European
Commissioner for Science and Research H.E. Janez
Potočnik and H.E. Dr. Klaus Ebermann, Ambassador of the
Delegation of the European Commission in Egypt. The
signature will take place on the occasion of the
Ministerial Euro-Mediterranean conference on Higher
Education and Scientific Research on Monday, 18 June May
at 13:00 p.m. at the JW Marriot Mirage City, Kattameya (Tutankhamun
ballroom).
This new programme, which will be implemented over four
years by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific
Research, will facilitate the participation of Egypt in
the European Research Area by encouraging and
stimulating the scientific linkages between Research
Institutions and Scientists from Egypt and the EU.
Special attention will be given to maximising the
potential for Egypt to fully benefit from the 7th EU
Research Framework Programmes launched earlier this
year.
In addition, a joint Egypt/EU Innovation Fund worth €6.5
million [EGP 50 million] will be established under the
programme to finance competitive innovative projects.
Such projects will have to be jointly submitted by
enterprises and research institutions, contributing
therefore to bridging the gap between industry and
academia and helping in introducing to the market new
technology-based products and processes. European
companies and research bodies will be also encouraged to
be part of the innovation projects to allow for an
increased access by Egyptian companies to EU advanced
technologies.
This programme is the first direct EU support to the
Research and Science sector and reflects the EU's strong
confidence in the Egyptian government's strategy towards
a knowledge-based economy and society. Scientific
co-operation is one of the main pillars of the Action
Plan between Egypt and the EU under the European
Neighbourhood Policy.
ENDS
Contact: Germaine Demian
Press and Information Officer
Delegation of the European Commission in Egypt
Tel: 3749 46 80
germaine.demian@ec.europa.eu
http://www.eu-delegation.org.eg |