• GIZ and IMC have initiated an 18-month project to support the growth of SMEs in Egypt’s food and agricultural manufacturing industries through technical and vocational training programs.

• The project aims to create sustainable employment opportunities by enhancing local manufacturing capabilities and improving the skills of SMEs to meet global standards and access target markets.

• It will focus on aligning SMEs with NFSA standards, certifying professionals in occupational health and safety, helping firms acquire international compliance certifications, and providing vocational training to enhance employee skills.

The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Industrial Modernization Center (IMC) have launched a project to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Egypt’s food and agricultural manufacturing industries. The initiative will run for 18 months.

This agreement marks an advancement in ongoing efforts to enhance SME capabilities. It includes technical and vocational training programs aimed at developing new industrial clusters and promoting regional growth, especially in the food and agricultural sectors.

The project is organized into four main components, each offering services managed by the IMC. These services target personnel in industrial companies involved in producing vegetables, fruits, medicinal herbs, dairy products, and confectioneries in Sadat, Fayoum, and Beni Suef.

The project’s primary goal is to create sustainable employment opportunities by strengthening local manufacturing and improving the skills of SMEs in the food and agricultural sectors. This will help them access target markets by meeting global standards

The IMC will lead the project’s implementation, utilizing its experience in sectoral development and its partnerships with relevant organizations and companies.

This role includes identifying trainee categories, organizing vocational training for the workforce, and issuing accredited certifications to enhance investment prospects and facilitate entry into new export markets.

The first component focuses on aligning industrial entities in the food production and agricultural processing sectors with the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) standards. This will involve educational and training programs for 60 enterprises in herbal and aromatic products, horticulture, confectionery, and dairy sectors.

The training will cover the necessary documentation for NFSA registration, the registration process, and the benefits of adhering to occupational health and safety protocols. The goal is to prepare these enterprises to qualify for the NFSA’s white list.

The second component involves the IMC helping 50 professionals in safety departments of industrial establishments obtain occupational health and safety specialist certification. This will follow set criteria for selecting candidates eligible for an internationally recognized certification.

The third component provides services to help 160 selected firms acquire international compliance certifications such as ISO 45001, ISO 22000, and FSSC. Services will include preparatory steps, certification, and follow-up, depending on each firm’s current development stage.The fourth and final component aims to enhance the skills of employees. It will target 50 staff members across 50 industrial units, incorporating them into various vocational training seminars.