Minister of Planning, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, announced the expansion of the Orange Corners program to support startups, extending its reach to 7 additional governorates in Upper Egypt and the Delta. The program will now be implemented in the governorates of Luxor, Assiut, Alexandria, Monufia, Dakahlia, Kafr El Sheikh, and Beheira.
Orange Corners is a key initiative resulting from the collaboration between the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and several private sector entities, including Bank of Alexandria and City of Egypt.
Dr. Al-Mashat stated that this expansion reflects the Ministry’s ongoing efforts, in partnership with international stakeholders, to support the growth of startups and enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Recently, the program celebrated the graduation of 15 startups, with plans to support 130 additional companies across various sectors in the current year.
She emphasized that the partnership with the Dutch government exemplifies the shared vision of empowering young entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable economic growth. “The Orange Corners Egypt program plays a pivotal role in equipping entrepreneurs with the essential tools, resources, and networks to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses. It serves as an excellent model of how international partnerships can create tangible opportunities for youth and contribute to a more dynamic and inclusive economy,” Dr. Al-Mashat said.
The Minister further highlighted the initiative’s notable impact since its inception in 2021, having supported over 115 startups, with 58% of them being women-led. These startups primarily focused on vital sectors such as agriculture, waste management, health and education, e-commerce, and fintech. These sectors are not only crucial to the growth of Egypt’s economy but also play a key role in addressing some of the nation’s most pressing developmental challenges. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that this aligns with the Ministry’s broader efforts, under the leadership of the joint ministerial group for entrepreneurship, to create a more dynamic and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Additionally, Dr. Al-Mashat noted the government’s commitment, through the Ministerial Entrepreneurship Group, to continue expanding initiatives and policies that support the startup community while coordinating between various governmental efforts to maximize their impact.
It is important to note that Dr. Rania Al-Mashat leads the Ministerial Entrepreneurship Group, which aims to enhance the capabilities of startups and foster an entrepreneurial environment conducive to sustainable economic growth, competitiveness, and job creation.
In a recent meeting chaired by Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, the group approved the unified criteria for defining startups and the associated classification controls. This framework will aid in determining whether a company qualifies as a startup. The meeting also reviewed key proposals from the entrepreneurial community on potential incentives, advantages, and measures to further stimulate the startup ecosystem, facilitate business expansion, and enhance the confidence of entrepreneurs and investors in the national economic climate.
