Egypt’s Minister of Local Development, Dr. Manal Awad, visited the exhibitions of “Ayadi Misr” and AUC SHE Can scholarship graduates, held at the American University in Cairo’s Tahrir campus. The visit took place on the sidelines of the annual SHE Can Conference organized by AUC’s School of Continuing Education.
Accompanying Dr. Awad was Dr. Mahmoud Allam, Dean of the School of Continuing Education, along with Dr. Doaa Salem, Head of Awareness and Partnerships, and several senior figures from the university and the ministry, including Ambassador Hossam El-Qawish, Advisor for International Cooperation, and Dr. Essam El-Gohary, Advisor for Training and Digital Transformation.
Celebrating Heritage and Innovation
Dr. Awad began her tour at the “Ayadi Misr” exhibition, which showcased traditional and handmade products from across Upper Egypt, including Sohag, Qena, Beni Suef, and Assiut. The exhibition featured a diverse range of artisanal crafts such as textiles, tulle embroidery, crochet, leatherwork, ceramic pottery, amigurumi dolls, pomegranate products, molasses, and aromatic herbs.
The “Ayadi Misr” platform, an initiative under the Ministry of Local Development, aims to support rural artisans by expanding market access, boosting income generation, and preserving Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.
The minister then toured the adjacent SHE Can exhibition, where graduates of the AUC scholarship program presented their entrepreneurial ventures and prototypes. The projects covered a wide spectrum—from tech and education solutions to handmade crafts, wooden goods, and food products—reflecting the multidimensional talent of young women from across Egypt.
Empowering Local Economies through Women and Crafts
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Manal Awad reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to empowering small-scale producers, particularly women and youth, through targeted support, training, and exposure to local and international markets.
“We are proud to see such high-quality, diverse, and creative products. These exhibitions represent the essence of sustainable development—where tradition meets innovation,” she said.
The minister invited the SHE Can graduates to join the Ayadi Misr platform, encouraging deeper collaboration between government initiatives and academic programs to scale impact and unlock economic opportunities.
Dr. Awad also praised the entrepreneurial spirit and technical diversity of the SHE Can beneficiaries, highlighting their potential to become job creators and community leaders in their respective fields.
Artisans Call for Export Support and Market Expansion
Several artisans participating in the Ayadi Misr exhibition expressed gratitude to the Ministry for facilitating local and inter-ministerial exhibitions but also called for enhanced support in accessing international trade fairs and expanding export channels.
“Our products are ready for the global market. We just need more opportunities to showcase them abroad,” one exhibitor told the minister.
Dr. Awad pledged to explore avenues for increasing export potential and promised to continue advocating for policies that bridge traditional craftsmanship with modern economic platforms.
A Platform for Inclusive Economic Growth
Both exhibitions offered a glimpse into Egypt’s growing ecosystem of grassroots entrepreneurship, blending the legacy of cultural heritage with the momentum of digital and social innovation.
As Egypt deepens its commitment to inclusive, sustainable development, initiatives like “Ayadi Misr” and AUC’s SHE Can program serve as blueprints for how public and academic sectors can co-create pathways for economic empowerment, particularly for women in underserved communities.
