Banque Misr and the National Bank of Egypt signed a protocol of cooperation with Menoufia Governorate in order to improve the efficiency of the environment, lighting and paving system; whereby pursuant to the protocol, both banks shall funnel an amount of EGP 135 million towards implementing a number of projects that contribute to improving the efficiency of the environment, lighting and paving system within the vicinity of the governorate.

Major General Ibrahim Abu Limon - Governor of Menoufia - stated, "Our sincerest thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, Mr. Tariq Amer, Mr. Hisham Okasha - Chairman of the Board of Directors of NBE - and Mr. Mohamed El-Etreby - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Banque Misr - for their support of Menoufia Governorate through this protocol, which is set to contribute significantly to the service of the citizens of the governorate in terms of maintaining their health and improving the level of services provided to them. This is since some slum areas in the governorate will be developed and furnished with cleaning equipment, while eliminating garbage accumulations estimated at 600 thousand tons in the city of Menouf. This will have a substantial impact in improving the environment and will be reflected on the health of citizens. We, the people of Menoufia Governorate, are very proud of this strategic partnership in light of the outstanding vision provided by the banking sector, in line with the directives of the Governor of the Central Bank, under the wise leadership of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi."

On his part, Chairman of Banque Misr, Mr. Mohamed El-Etreby, stated that "Banque Misr has always been keen – owing to its pioneering role in the field of social responsibility as one of the pillars for achieving sustainable development – on contributing to crucial projects that the state attaches great importance to, as an important foundation for its contributions. Accordingly, due to the added value of these projects, which enable citizens to appropriately obtain basic services, the importance of this protocol is to provide a clean and diseases-free environment to ensure an adequate life for all individuals. As such, our contributions in the field of social responsibility for the fiscal year 2019/2020 amounted to some EGP 1.3 billion, while totaling more than EGP 3.1 billion over the last five years.       

Commenting on the protocol, Mr. Hisham Okasha - Chairman of NBE - stated that the protocol aims to support the state's plans to preserve the health and safety of citizens, especially in light of the current circumstances requiring more preventive measures and following safety instructions recommended by the Ministry of Health to prevent outbreaks of the pandemic. This is considered a role that is part of the Bank's contributions to the community, insofar as the health the Egyptian citizen as well as raising the efficiency of residential communities. As such, the protocol includes the implementation of a number of projects that contribute to raising the efficiency of the environment, lighting and paving system in the governorate and surrounding villages, which is based on a study of the needs of the governorate in accordance with the criteria followed by the Bank to assess the aspects of its social contributions. Okasha pointed out that total contributions made by NBE in various areas of social responsibility amounted to nearly EGP 8 billion over the last six years.

Lieutenant General Abdel Moneim El-Terras - President of the Arab Organization for Industrialization - pointed out the importance of the developmental role of the organization and its participation in national projects within the country, stressing the implementation of the directives of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to enhance constructive cooperation between state institutions and exploiting national manufacturing capabilities towards achieving comprehensive development. This is also in support of initiatives encouraging local products and reducing imports, in a way that contributes to strengthening high-quality national industries. Said cooperation comes within the framework of the social responsibility of national banks and the Arab Industrialization Authority for achieving sustainable development in many areas that would develop society; especially in the areas of health, education, the environment and the development of villages in need; as well as other areas related to human development.