Ashraf AboArafe
Cairo and Seoul today opened a new chapter in their partnership by signing a $10 million grant agreement to upgrade vocational training in electric vehicle (EV) and compressed natural gas (CNG) maintenance technologies, paving the way for sustainable mobility and youth empowerment.
The project, implemented through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in cooperation with Egypt’s Productivity and Vocational Training Department (PVTD), comes as both nations celebrate 30 years of diplomatic friendship.
The agreement was signed by H.E. KIM Yong-Hyon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Egypt, and H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, in the presence of H.E. Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, KOICA Country Director Dr. Sooyoung Park, and PVTD Chairman Engineer Ehab Abadallah Ramadan.
Words of Commitment
- Ambassador Kim remarked: “Today, we celebrate not only a new project but also three decades of friendship. This initiative will empower our youth and support a sustainable future in the automotive sector.”
- Lt. Gen. Kamel El-Wazir expressed gratitude for Korea’s support in preparing skilled technicians trained in eco-friendly vehicle technologies, emphasizing the need for advanced simulation systems and EV battery repair equipment.
- Dr. Rania Al-Mashat highlighted that the project aligns with Egypt’s national development vision, focused on shifting toward higher-productivity sectors, promoting technical education, and increasing economic resilience and investment.
Investing in Skills and Sustainability
The project will modernize training curricula, introduce new EV and CNG technologies, and upgrade existing modules in gasoline car maintenance (engine, chassis, electrical systems, body repair, and painting). It also places strong emphasis on training trainers, ensuring continuity and sustainability of skills transfer, while building stronger links between vocational centers and industry.
This new partnership builds on KOICA’s legacy in Egypt, where four projects between 1993 and 2013 laid the foundations of vocational training at centers in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, and Kafr El-Zayat.
About KOICA
Established in 1991 as an arm of South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, KOICA delivers grant aid programs worldwide to fight poverty and promote sustainable socio-economic growth. Since opening its Egypt office in 1998, KOICA has supported youth technical education, government digitalization, women’s empowerment, and protection of vulnerable groups.
