QNB Egypt celebrated the signing of a cooperation protocol with the Waqf Egypt Foundation to graduate a new batch of participants in a comprehensive training programme in the field of traditional handicrafts and their marketing.
This initiative comes as part of the second phase of the “Astawat” project implemented by the foundation, which aims to develop women’s skills, following the success of the first phase in providing sustainable employment opportunities for participants.
The signing ceremony for the cooperation agreement between QNB Egypt and the Waqf Egypt Foundation was attended by Mr. Mohamed Badir, CEO of QNB Egypt, Dr. Marwa El-Daly, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Waqf Egypt Foundation, and a number of leaders from both sides.
The renewal of this cooperation reflects the commitment of both sides to the importance of community work, achieving sustainable development goals and economic empowerment for women on the one hand, and activating the directives of the Central Bank of Egypt in the field of financial inclusion on the other.
On this occasion, Mr. Mohamed Badir, CEO of QNB Egypt, expressed his delight at renewing the cooperation with the Waqf Egypt Foundation for its role in achieving a sustainable impact on society, in line with the bank’s strategy in the field of social responsibility, which gives women special importance in all its initiatives and programmes.
He also emphasised the importance of QNB Egypt’s role in supporting projects in the education, health, youth and women’s sectors, given their benefits to the national economy and the added value they bring to society.
In conclusion, Badir expressed his hope to expand the scope of the project in the future to include a larger number of participants from all governorates and in new craft specialisations, in addition to strengthening e-marketing channels and dedicated exhibitions.
For her part, Dr. Marwa El-Daly, Founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Waqf Egypt Foundation, said: “At Waqf Egypt, we believe in our rich heritage and in the science, knowledge and excellence that our civilisation has contributed to the world. Among these historical contributions is the concept of the Egyptian “as-ta”, the skilled craftsman who is nicknamed the master of his craft in recognition of his mastery, precision and dedication to his work.
Astyat-Egypt in the field of hotel textiles is not just a brand name for high-quality products, but an extension of the spirit of authenticity and empowerment, and a partnership with hotels that share our vision of supporting local talent as in our golden days. Today, Al-Asty is a movement born out of the belief that we are capable of offering Egyptian products that compete and inspire on a global level.
We consider QNB Egypt a true strategic partner in this dream, believing in our vision and walking with us step by step towards turning it into reality. We deeply appreciate this partnership and look forward to it being a source of inspiration for new partners who believe in the value of sustainable impact.