The Minister of Local Government Eng. Magdi Al-Saleh, signed with the German Cooperation Programs (GIZ), a declaration for implementing the programs for the benefit of the local government sector, which included 8.5 million euros for the sector reform and development program phase two, and the e-governance application program (EGP) worth 6 million euros.

Al-Saleh thanked the German government and the Swiss government for their continuous support to the local government sector, and the importance of this support in strengthening the capacities of local bodies and enabling them to improve the level of services provided in addition to improving the administrative, financial and other aspects.

Al-Saleh affirmed that the ministry seeks to make all grants and financial aid are directed in the right framework and meet the needs of citizens directly improving the services provided to public.

Al-Saleh pointed to the importance of electronic governance and the institutionalization of work in providing electric services for public. Facilitating citizens’ needs and speeding up the completion of their transactions.

In turn, the GIZ representative Mr. Wolform expressed his happiness in signing the declaration, which came on the basis of a series of consultations and meetings between the ministry and the German side, which will have positive and tangible results on the ground.

Wolform assured the continued support to the local government sector and the Ministry, in particular, as it is an essential and vital partner in light of its endeavors to achieve comprehensive local development.

This came during the meeting held in the Minister's office today, Wednesday, in the presence of Undersecretary Ahmed Ghoneim, Director of Development Cooperation at the German Representative Peter Wolform, Director of the Program for the Development and Reform of the Local Government Sector in German Cooperation Euvena Muller, and Director of the Local Government Sector in German Cooperation von Bonn, The National Director of the Swiss Cooperation, Saad Halawani, and the National Director for German Cooperation, Jihad Al-Shakhsheer.