Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity Dr. Maya Morsi recently opened the permanent exhibition for the Rural and Environmental Industries Support Fund "Lotus" in Cairo's Agouza district. The exhibition, located at the Ministry's affiliated building, showcases a diverse range of products from small producers, including shell crafts, pottery, ceramics, and handmade textiles. The Minister was accompanied by members of the Fund's board of directors, including Ayman Abdel Mawoud, permanent representative of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, and Inji Al-Yamani, executive director of the Rural and Environmental Industries Support Fund.
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Morsi inspected the exhibition halls, which feature a wide variety of products, such as copper and stone jewelry, woven baskets, and aromatic candles. The Minister emphasized the importance of organizing regular interactive activities at the exhibition to support small producers. The Fund's permanent exhibition also offers a professional studio for photographing exhibited products, which will be showcased on the Fund's electronic platform to facilitate marketing.
Following the exhibition opening, Dr. Morsi inaugurated the new headquarters of the Rural and Environmental Industries Support Fund, where she met with the board of directors and staff. The Minister urged the team to redouble their efforts, highlighting the Fund's crucial role in economic empowerment as a key development arm of the Ministry of Social Solidarity. The Fund operates under the strategic financial umbrella for economic empowerment and is a primary driver of the Ministry's policies and programs.
Dr. Morsi chaired a meeting of the Fund's board of directors at its new headquarters, expressing her gratitude to the board and executive team for their efforts over the past year and a half. The Minister noted that the Fund has been revitalized and restructured since early 2025 to transform it from a mere financing entity into a comprehensive platform connecting financing, production, and marketing. This new approach focuses on investing in rural areas' relative advantages, addressing market and service gaps, and implementing innovative interventions to achieve sustainable income for targeted families.
The Minister emphasized that the Fund has become a strategic tool for transitioning beneficiaries of the conditional cash support program "Takaful and Karama" from reliance on aid to economic empowerment. The Fund aims to convert rural communities into dynamic centers for sustainable development by supporting local industries, promoting green technology, and fostering innovation. Dr. Morsi also highlighted the importance of adhering to the highest governance and transparency standards.
The meeting saw the launch of the Fund's official website, which will serve as a media platform for its activities and a marketing tool for exhibitors' products. The executive director of the Fund, Inji Al-Yamani, presented the Fund's activities over the past period and its future plan, focusing on smart and targeted financing, job-intensive projects, marketing, and capacity building. The plan also includes developing institutional capacity, establishing model production centers, and participating in promotional events and training.
The Rural and Environmental Industries Support Fund is currently working on a comprehensive plan to effectively participate in local and international exhibitions, supported by e-marketing strategies. This aims to open new markets for beneficiaries' products and enhance their competitiveness. The Fund operates according to a vision that seeks to exploit natural and cultural resources, converting them into real production and economic opportunities. It implements comprehensive interventions, including training, production, and marketing, to ensure project sustainability and improve local product competitiveness.
Key points
- The Rural and Environmental Industries Support Fund "Lotus" has been revitalized and restructured to support small producers and promote economic empowerment in rural areas.
