Ministry of Local Development, Environment inspects governorates targeted in Phase 1 of ‘Productive Village’ initiative

CAIRO – 22 August 2026: As part of the Ministry of Local Development and Environment’s follow-up on preparations to launch the “Productive Village” initiative in villages benefiting from the presidential “Decent Life” initiative, officials are continuing coordination efforts ahead of implementation in cooperation with the Ministries of Local Development, Environment, Industry, Agriculture, Planning and Economic Development, and Social Solidarity.

Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment, announced that officials from the Ministry’s Central Unit for the “Decent Life” initiative, in cooperation with officials from the Ministry of Industry, are continuing field visits to the governorates targeted in the first phase of the “Productive Village” initiative. The visits aim to coordinate with local authorities and inspect proposed sites for the planned industrial projects.

In this context, Dr. Walaa Gad El-Karim, Director of the Central Unit for the “Decent Life” Initiative at the Ministry; Dr. Laila Shehata, Assistant Minister of Industry; and Dr. Ahmed El-Sharkawy, the project consultant, conducted field visits to the governorates of Fayoum, Menoufia, Qena, and Luxor.

The delegation held meetings with the governors, deputy governors, and executive officials to follow up on the implementation of the Minister’s directives, as outlined in Circular No. 209 of 2026, concerning the inventory and identification of unused facilities and lands that could be repurposed under the “Productive Village” initiative.

The delegation also conducted field inspections of 12 proposed sites across the four governorates to assess their technical suitability and compliance with the initiative’s requirements.

Dr. Manal Awad said the “Productive Village” initiative seeks to build on the achievements of the presidential “Decent Life” initiative by leveraging the infrastructure developed in participating villages and repurposing unused facilities and land.

She added that the initiative will involve cooperation with the private sector and the Federation of Egyptian Industries to localize export-oriented industries and develop their associated supply chains. The initiative is also expected to create sustainable employment opportunities and strengthen the role of Egyptian villages in manufacturing and exports.