Switzerland offers 60m EGP grant for Egypt\'s irrigation system

Aswan’s irrigation canals run parallel to the River Nile Aswan – Mohammed Alaadisa The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation [SDC] has announced plans to fund a number of projects aimed at improving drinking water and sanitation in Egypt’s southern Aswan region, committing to a non-refundable grant of 60 million EGP over the next four years.
Switzerland’s ambassador to Egypt, Dominique Verger, made the announcement on Wednesday during a meeting with Aswan’s governor Mustafa Alsaid. The significant funding would precede improvements to the efficiency of the area’s main irrigation canal as well as some waterwheels in Nasr Alnuba.
Ambassador Verger explained the grant is the first part in a comprehensive campaign by Switzerland, which will see an estimated 210 million EGP flood into the region annually between 2012 and 2016.
The programme also aims to bolster economic cooperation between the two countries, with support from the United Nations.
Ambassador Verger meanwhile said: "Egypt will be the guest of honour at the International Tourism Conference in Basel between April 17 and 19, in recognition and respect of the Egyptian people due to the success of their revolution, which wowed the world."