The co-operation between Egypt and the European Union was based on the Association Agreement, which entered into force in 2004, and the EU-Egypt partnership priorities for 2017-2020, which were agreed in 2017. The Association Agreement provided the framework for regular political dialogue between the two partners and enhanced co-operation in a number of key sectors. The aim of the partnership priorities, which include public administration reform, was to address common challenges, to promote joint interests and to guarantee long-term stability on both sides of the Mediterranean. The EU-Egypt partnership also highlighted “support to Egypt’s efforts towards public administration reform and good governance”. In March 2024, The EU and Egypt took their co-operation to the level of a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership. To underpin this partnership, the EU is proposing a EUR 7.4 billion financial and investment support package for Egypt for 2024-2027.
In agreement with the European Commission and the Egyptian authorities, SIGMA's recent support has focused on co-operation with:
- The Egyptian Regulatory Reform and Development Activity (ERRADA). Following the earlier project phases (2015-2019), during which the “Guide to Good Administrative Procedures for Egypt” (Guide I in English | Guide I in Arabic) was developed, SIGMA supported ERRADA with the overall goal to contribute to good secondary legislation through elaborating a practical "Guide to Developing Secondary Legislation in Egyptian Legislating Bodies" (Guide II in English I Guide II in Arabic) that was released in June 2022. The current aim is to disseminate the principles and implement the practices in the Guides in the Egyptian public administration.
- The Industrial Development Authority (IDA) on simplifying business registration and doing business in Egypt.
- The Interministerial Group for Entrepreneurship and Startups, chaired by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Co‑operation, to address administrative obstacles affecting business registration and to support the development of more streamlined, co‑ordinated service delivery arrangements for entrepreneurs.
- The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones and other relevant authorities, to support improvements in business‑related administrative processes, including enhanced access to information and simplified decision‑making procedures.
- The Central Agency for Organisation and Administration (CAOA) on the performance of civil servants and the establishment of an observatory of quality of public services as part of the Administrative Reform Plan in the context of Egypt Vision 2030.
- The National Training Academy to support capacity‑building activities for public officials, particularly in the areas of public procurement and public administration reform.
- The Ministry of Finance and the General Authority of Government Services, to strengthen public financial management and public procurement systems, including support related to legislative frameworks, complaint mechanisms and central purchasing practices.
