Aswan – Ten students from Upper Egypt were awarded start-up funds for their innovative business ideas at a ceremony today at Eneiba Agriculture Technical School (ATS) in Aswan governorate.  The entrepreneur competition was sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Ministry of Agriculture, and local firm Blue Moon, Ltd.

“Technical education is an important step on the path to an improved economy,” said Dr. Anne Patterson, USAID Deputy Director in Egypt.  “Agriculture Technical School students in Upper Egypt are learning not only how to farm sustainably, but are also learning to start their own businesses.”

Over 200 students from Agriculture Technical Schools in Upper Egypt submitted business plan proposals for the entrepreneurship competition.  Start-up prizes of up to 1500 EGP were awarded to those who had written the best proposals.  The majority of proposals were agriculture-related, and 94 projects won some funding.  The top thirteen winners each received up to 2,000 EGP in in-kind contributions such as tools and livestock.

Since 1975, USAID has worked in partnership with the Egyptian people to increase rural incomes and employment, strengthen crop yields, provide access to credit for small businesses, and improve trade to ensure long-term sustainability in agriculture.  This project is one facet of a comprehensive package of technical assistance from the American people that promotes job creation, economic recovery and reform, private sector business growth, and a stronger trade and investment environment in Egypt.