Egypt

<p>The South Mediterranean region faces a range of economic challenges, including high youth unemployment, reliance on traditional sectors, and uneven economic growth. With 55% of the population under 30 and youth unemployment rates between 30-40%, addressing this issue is critical, especially as many jobs are concentrated in low-productivity sectors.</p><p>Political instability, fragmented regulatory frameworks, and environmental challenges further complicate efforts to build a robust digital economy. Harmonizing regulations with EU standards, enhancing digital skills, and fostering cooperation between public and private sectors are critical for unlocking the region&rsquo;s digital trade potential.</p><p>Recognizing the potential of digital trade to address regional and national challenges and promote development, this project seeks to address these issues on a regional scale, by implementing pilot digital trade initiatives, facilitating dialogue and collaboration among the countries in the region, and laying the groundwork for regulatory convergence with EU standards. Albeit regional in nature, the project will work on strengthening e-commerce and digital trade capacities at national level in 4 targeted countries: Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. This national level efforts seek to support public and private sector actors in improving framework conditions and realizing the sustainable development potential of e-commerce and digital trade.<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title="">^{<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->^[1]}</a> The support at national levels is at the same instrumental to identifying and further developing good practices to be shared at regional level and to foster regional exchange on specific issues, including regulatory convergence. The initiatives at national level are thus complemented by regional exchanges and peer-learning, which in turn feeds in and informs back the national efforts. The national and regional dimensions of the project are accordingly complementary and synergetic.</p><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><p><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[1] According to the OECD, digital trade refers to &ldquo;all international trade that is digitally ordered and/or digitally delivered (s.&nbsp;</a><a href="https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/trade/handbook-on-measuring-digital-trad… on Measuring Digital Trade, Second Edition | READ online (oecd-ilibrary.org)</a>, pp.12), whereas e-commerce refers to &ldquo;the sale or purchase of goods or services, conducted over computer networks by methods specifically designed for the purpose of receiving or placing orders (s. <a href="https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/1885800a-en/index.html?itemId=/cont…;

<p>The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Programme<span>&nbsp;</span>is part of a broader initiative under the ATCMA <span>&nbsp;</span>Programme, with other regional components such as the ECCAS ATCMA<span>&nbsp;</span>, the SADC ATCMA<span>&nbsp;</span> and the ECOWAS ATCMA<span>&nbsp;</span>. It is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The programme aims to enhance trade competitiveness and market access in Eastern and Southern Africa. In line with the AfCFTA, the programme focuses on improving regional competitiveness, integrating economies into continental and global value chains, and promoting sustainable trade between Africa and the EU.</p><p>Key objectives include supporting African countries in meeting international trade standards through improved testing, certification, and accreditation, while maximizing MSMEs&apos; export potential by addressing market access barriers, enhancing value addition, and promoting sustainability and technology transfer. The programme contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including economic growth, sustainable industrialization, responsible production, and gender equality.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The project, as part of the overall GTEX programme, will help the Egyptian textiles and clothing (T&amp;C) sector to stay on top of emerging market requirements for the textiles and clothing (T&amp;C) sector by moving towards greener practices and being able to adhere to strict forthcoming EU regulations for T&amp;C products sold in Europe.</p><p>The project will seek to be transformational, addressing the twin transition of environmental sustainability and digitalization as well as the expected radical shift in demand in Western markets towards &ldquo;green&rdquo; quality products with lower volumes of fast fashion. Without such responsible practices, manufacturers will likely not be able to export anymore to key markets such as the EU, US, or Japan.</p><p>To achieve the said objectives, the project will pursue two outcome objectives:</p><p>&bull; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Increased competitiveness of T&amp;C enterprises through sustainable trade</p><p>&bull; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; More effective ecosystem able to direct the T&amp;C sector towards systemic change, addressing sustainability and circularity.</p>

<p>The second phase of GTEX focusses on the 4 MENA countries of Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia as well as one Asian country.</p><p><span lang="EN-GB">It builds on the achievements of the first phase, consolidates them where required, but focusses on the main challenges that T&amp;C manufacturers face to continue exporting to world markets, namely the twin transition of digitalization and environmental (and social) sustainability. To address these and the expected radical market changes leading to higher imports in Western markets of &ldquo;green&rdquo; quality products with lower volumes of fast fashion, the programme will be transformational in nature.&nbsp;</span></p><p>In line with these requirements that are expected to have far reaching implications last seen during the quota phase out in 2005, the overall expected impact of the programme is to<strong>&nbsp;</strong>increase income along the value chain through a more productive, inclusive, and greener T&amp;C sector. Following discussions with both donors, the programme will pursue 2 outcomes, namely:</p><ul><li>Increased competitiveness of inclusive T&amp;C enterprises through green and sustainable trade</li><li>Improved ecosystem able to direct the T&amp;C sector towards systemic change addressing inclusiveness and circularity&nbsp;</li></ul><p>Without such responsible practices, manufacturers will likely not be able to export anymore to key markets such as the EU, US, or Japan. &ldquo;Dumping&rdquo; low quality fast fashion products to other markets would also not be an option.</p><p>At the MENA regional level, regional linkages and solutions towards the twin transition will be facilitated and regional collaboration and trade enabled.</p>

<p>In 2016, the establishment of the Arab Countries Trade and Investment Organisations Network (ACTION) under the AfTIAS programme marked a pivotal step towards fostering Arab regional integration. ACTION emerged from the collective ambition of Arab nations to enhance their trade and investment landscape, driven by a mutual commitment to prosperity and interconnectedness within the region.</p><p>Following its formation, ACTION initiated its journey with a key meeting in Dubai. This event was crucial in defining the network&rsquo;s structure and operational guidelines, effectively transforming ACTION from a concept to a functioning entity.</p><p>In 2018, a significant gathering took place in Paris, offering a valuable chance for reflection, reassessment, and revitalization of the network&rsquo;s strategies and direction.</p><p>ACTION stands at a crossroads, poised to redefine its trajectory in an ever-changing global landscape. The Abu Dhabi workshop is not merely a gathering; it is a clarion call for strategic introspection and visionary planning.</p><p>The focus will be on conducting a comprehensive reassessment of the network&rsquo;s current state, identifying areas ripe for innovation and improvement. This exercise is crucial in charting a course that not only addresses the immediate needs of the region but also positions ACTION as a leader in the global trade arena.</p><p>Furthermore, the workshop will emphasize the strengthening of bonds between member TIPOs. In a world where economic fortunes are increasingly intertwined, fostering unity and cohesion within the network is paramount. This reinforced solidarity will be the cornerstone of more effective and impactful regional trade initiatives.</p><p>A significant deliverable of this workshop will be the development of a future roadmap. This roadmap will not just be a strategic document; it will be a manifesto of ACTION&apos;s aspirations and commitments for the coming years. It will outline specific goals, milestones, and initiatives that will propel the network towards new heights of success and influence.</p>