egypt_en

MTM i-Map

Migration and Development Layer

EGYPT

Latest update of contents: January 2012

This profile is based exclusively on desk research.

The profile provides data from official national sources to the extent possible, complemented by data of

international organisations and research projects in case national data was not available.

Data may deviate according to source due to differences in data collection methods and in definitions

applied.

Country Profile Egypt Interactive Map on Migration in Africa, the Middle-East and the Mediterranean Region (MTM i-Map)

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Table of Content

1 EGYPT AT A GLANCE ...................................................................................................................................... 3

2 THE MIGRATION SITUATION .......................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 EMIGRATION MOVEMENTS ......................................................................................................................... 5

2.2 IMMIGRATION MOVEMENTS (INCLUDING RETURN MIGRATION) ........................................................... 12

3 TRANSNATIONAL LIFE OF MIGRANTS .......................................................................................................... 19

3.1 NATIONAL LEGISLATION AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ON THE TRANSNATIONAL LIFE OF MIGRANTS ............. 19

3.2 INVOLVMENT OF MIGRANT ORGANISATIONS IN THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN ........................................... 20

4 FINANCIAL REMITTANCES TRANSFERS AND MIGRANTS INVESTMENTS ...................................................... 21

4.1 NATIONAL LEGISLATION ON ECONOMIC INCENTIVES FOR MIGRANTS ...................................................... 21

4.2 FINANCIAL REMITTANCES DATA: INFLOWS, CHARACTERISTICS AND IMPACT ........................................... 21

4.3 MIGRANT FINANCIAL REMITTANCES MARKETPLACE: CHANNELS AND COSTS ........................................... 28

4.4 COLLECTIVE FINANCIAL REMITTANCES AND DONATIONS .......................................................................... 31

4.5 MIGRANT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP .................................................................... 31

5 RETURN MIGRATION AND REINTEGRATION .............................................................................................. 33

5.1 NATIONAL PROGRAMMES ON RETURN MIGRATION AND REINTEGRATION ............................................ 33

5.2 IMPACT OF RETURN MIGRATION ............................................................................................................. 33

6 MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT: ACTORS AND INITIATIVES ...................................................................... 34

6.1 LINKAGES BETWEEN MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMETN IN NATIONAL POLICIES ........................................ 34

6.2 RELEVANT BILATERAL AGREEMENTS AND OTHER FRAMEWORKS OF COOPERATION ............................... 34

6.3 DESCRIPTION OF MOST RELEVANT NATIONAL MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT ACTORS ........................ 36

6.4 INITIATIVES RELATED TO THE TRANSNATIONAL LIFE OF MIGRANTS .......................................................... 37

6.5 INITIATIVES RELATED TO FINANCIAL REMITTANCES INFLOWS AND MIGRANTS INVESTMENTS ............... 40

6.6 INITIATIVES RELATED TO RETURN MIGRATION AND REINTEGRATION ..................................................... 41

7 DATA COLLECTION SYSTEMS ....................................................................................................................... 42

7.1 DATA ON MIGRATION (INCLUDING RETURN MIGRATION) ....................................................................... 42

7.2 DATA ON FINANCIAL REMITTANCES INFLOWS ........................................................................................... 44


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1 EGYPT AT A GLANCE

Table 1.1 Egypt at a Glance

Topic Indicator Data Source

Population

Total population (estimates, January 2012)

81,449,013 Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) (EN), for forecasts please refer to UNDESA (EN)

Growth rate (08/2009) 15.8 % CAPMAS (EN)

Males per 100 Females (1/1/2010)

104.6 % CAPMAS (EN)

Birth rate (per 1000) (2008) 27.3 CAPMAS (EN)

Fertility rate (births per woman) (2009)

2.8 The World Bank (EN)

Mortality rate (per 1000) (2008) 6.1 CAPMAS (EN)

Under 15 years (total) (1/7/2009)

43.46 % CAPMAS (EN)

15-60 years (of total) (1/7/2009) 52.8 % CAPMAS (EN)

60 years and over (of total) (1/7/2009)

3.74% CAPMAS (EN)

Economy

GDP (2009/2010) EGP 1,150,589.6 million* Ministry of Planning (AR, EN)

GDP per capita (2008) USD 1,991** UNDP HDR 2010 (AR, EN, FR)

GDP growth rate (2008/2009) 15.8% CAPMAS (EN)

External Debt (of GDP) (2009) 17.0 % CAPMAS (EN)

Inflation rate (2009) 11.8 % CAPMAS (EN)

Unemployment rate (2009) 9.4% CAPMAS (EN)

Main import countries (2011) European Union (EU 27), United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Republic of South Korea

World Trade Organization (WTO) (EN, FR) Trade Profile (EN, FR)

Main export countries (2011) EU 27, Saudi Arabia, United States, India, Libya

WTO (EN, FR) Trade Profile (EN, FR)

Migration

Net migration rate (per 1000) n/a n/a

Emigration rate of tertiary educated (2011)

4.6% World Bank Migration and Remittances Factbook (EN)

Internal migration (2006) 6.6% CAPMAS (EN)


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Immigrants (of total population) (estimates, 2010)

0.3% UNDESA (EN)

Develop-ment

Human Development Index Rank (2011)

113 HDR Stat 2011 (EN, FR)

GDI Rank n/a n/a

Human Poverty Index Rank (2007)

82 UNDP HDR 2010 (AR, EN, FR)

GINI index (2007) 32.1 UNDP HDR 2010 (AR, EN, FR)

Life expectancy at birth (2007) 62 UNDP HDR 2010 (AR, EN, FR)

Adult Literacy rate (2006) 66.4% UNDP HDR 2010 (AR, EN, FR)

Population living below USD1.25 per day (2009)

Less than 2% UNDP HDR 2010 (AR, EN, FR)

Official Development Assistance (ODA) Total (2008)

USD 1,706 million*** Organisation for Economic Co- Operation and Development (OECD) (EN, FR)

ODA Committee (DAC) Countries (2008)

USD 1,434 million**** OECD (EN, FR)

ODA Multilateral Agencies (2008)

USD 272 million***** OECD (EN, FR)

ODA (Main donors) (2008) US, France, Japan, Germany, Spain

OECD (EN, FR)

* EUR 148, 333.024 million ** EUR 1,543 *** EUR 1,322 million **** EUR 1,111 million ***** EUR 211 million N.B: Currencies were converted according to EC exchange rates (EN, FR) of December of the year in which the data was collected


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2 THE MIGRATION SITUATION

2.1 EMIGRATION MOVEMENTS

The so-called Arab Spring did not only have a significant social and economic impact on the region, it

also had an impact on migration movements, including immigration, emigration and return

migration. Several reports and surveys provide information on migration and the Arab Spring

including, inter alia:

The IOM (EN, FR) survey Egypt after January 25: Survey of Youth Migration Intentions (May

2011) (EN), which provides information on how the events of the Arab Spring have influenced

their intention to migrate, based on interviews with 750 Egyptian youths; and

The New Eastern Outlook Open Research and Discussion Journal (EN) report Effect of the

Arab Spring on Migration (December 2011) (EN), which provides a brief general overview on

the effects of the Arab Spring on Migration.

Furthermore, IOM (EN, FR) provides statistics on IOM-assisted movements across the Egyptian-Libyan

border throughout March 2011:

IOM Statistics on Operations Egypt - Libya (23 March 2011) (EN);

IOM Statistics on Operations Egypt - Libya (22 March 2011) (AR, EN);

IOM Statistics on Operations Egypt - Libya (9 March 2011) (AR, EN);

IOM Statistics on Operations Egypt - Libya (8 March 2011) (AR, EN); and

IOM Statistics on Operations Egypt - Libya (7 March 2011) (AR, EN).

When reading the following sections on emigration and immigration movements, please bear in mind

that most of the data available are not recent enough to reflect migration movements that took place

in the course or in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, due to the frequency of data collection.


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2.1.1 The Extent of Emigration Movements

Stock of Emigrants Abroad

Stock data on the number of Egyptian emigrants

abroad was provided by the latest Egyptian

population and housing census of 2006, which

contained a short module on Egyptians abroad. This

module was based on questions to non-migrant

respondents in Egypt on their family members

abroad (table 2.1).

Another source for stock data on the number of

Egyptian emigrants are estimates based on consular

records, provided by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign

Affairs (MFA) (AR, EN, FR) and the Egyptian Ministry

of Manpower and Emigration (MME) (EN, AR) (table 2.2). According to the figures presented in tables

2.1 and 2.2, the number of Egyptians living abroad amounts to between 5.5% and 6.5% of the Egyptian

population.

The Global Migrant Origin Database

(EN), launched by the Development

Research Centre on Migration,

Globalisation and Poverty (EN) of the

University of Sussex (EN), provides

statistical data on Egyptian emigrants

based on data collected through

National Population and Housing Censuses of destination countries, which is downloadable in excel

format here (EN).

Further data on the stock of emigrants is provided by international sources, inter alia:

The World Bank (AR, EN, FR) Migration and Remittances Factbook (EN); and

The UNDP (EN, FR) Human Development Report (2009) (AR, EN, FR).

Emigration Flows

The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) (EN) publishes data on the yearly

outflows of Egyptian emigrants, which can be accessed under this link (EN).

Table 2.1 Egypt: Number of Egyptian Emigrants Abroad, Census Data, 2006

2006 3,900,000 Source: Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) (EN), quoted in European Commission, Directorate for Economic and Financial Affairs, Occasional Papers 60 Labour Market Performance and Migration Flows in the Arab Mediterranean Countries: Determinants and Effects. Volume 3: National Background Papers Mashreq: Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria (2010) (EN), CARIM (EN, FR) The Migratory Patterns of Egyptians in Italy and France (2009) (EN).

Table 2.2 Egypt: Stock of Egyptian Emigrants, Estimates of

the MFA and MME, Based on Consular Records, 2006

2006 4,727,396

Source: Estimates of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)

(AR, EN, FR) and the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower and Emigration

(MME) (EN, AR), quoted in the CARIM (EN, FR) report The Migratory

Patterns of Egyptians in Italy and France (2009) (EN).


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2.1.2 Main Countries of Destination In Egyptian statistics, the term temporary emigration is used to refer to emigration towards Arab

countries and the term permanent emigration is used to refer to emigration to the rest of the world

a division that does not mirror the actual duration of stay of emigrants but that rather goes back to

integration policies in destination countries, with Europe and North America being oriented towards

integration, which is not the case in Arab countries, as pointed out in the CARIM (EN, FR) report

Migration Profile Egypt (2010) (EN). This distinction is reflected in estimates of temporary and

permanent Egyptian emigration provided by CAPMAS (EN, AR) (2001) and the MME (AR, EN) (2009)

(tables 2.3 and 2.4).

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) (AR, EN, FR) and the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower and

Emigration (MME) (EN, AR), quoted in the CARIM (EN, FR) report The Migratory Patterns of Egyptians in

Italy and France (2009) (EN) provide estimates of the distribution of Egyptian emigrant communities in

major receiving areas in 2006 (graph 2.1), which differ significantly from the 2001 CAPMAS (EN, AR)

estimates presented in table 2.3 and from the 2009 Ministry of Manpower and Emigration (EN)

estimates presented in table 2.4.

Table 2.3 Egypt: Estimates of Temporary Egyptian Emigration by Receiving Country, 2001

Receiving Country

Number of Migrants

%

Saudi Arabia 923,600 48.3

Libya 332,600 17.4

Jordan 226.850 11.9

Kuwait 190,550 10.0

UAE 95,000 5.0

Iraq 65,629 3.4

Qatar 25,000 1.3

Yemen 22,000 1.2

Oman 15,000 0.8

Lebanon 12,500 0.7

Bahrain 4,000 0.2

Total 1,912,729 100.0 Source: CAPMAS (EN, AR) (2001), quoted in the Revue Europenne des Migrations Internationales (EN, FR) The Place of Egypt in the regional migration system as a receiving country (2003) (EN).

Table 2.4 Egypt: Estimates of Permanent Egyptian Emigration by Receiving Country, 2009

Country of Destination

Number of Migrants

%

USA 318,000 38.6

Canada 110,000 13.3

Italy 90,000 10.9

Australia 70,000 8.5

Greece 60,000 7.3

The Netherlands 40,000 4.9

France 36,000 4.4

UK 35,000 4.2

Germany 25,000 3.0

Switzerland 14,000 1.7

Austria 14,000 1.7

Spain 12,000 1.5

Total 824,000 100 Source: Emigration Sector (AR, EN) of the Ministry of Manpower and Emigration (EN), History and Statistics of Egyptian Emigration (AR), 22.07.2009.


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2.1.3 Characteristics of Emigrant Population

Gender

CAPMAS (EN) provides annual data on the gender

distribution of Egyptian temporary labour

migrants, which shows that 97% of temporary

labour migrants were male, and 3% were female,

in 2009 (graph 2.2).

Also regarding permanent emigration and those

who acquired emigrant capacity, the majority of

emigrants was male, with 83.6% (graph 2.3). The

terminological distinction between permanent

emigrants and those who acquired emigrant

capacity is explained in the publication History

and Statistics of Egyptian Emigration (2009) (AR)

of the Emigration Sector (AR, EN) of the Ministry of Manpower and Emigration (EN), which states that an

Egyptian is considered having emigrant

capacity if he:

Acquired the nationality of a foreign

country;

Obtained a permanent residence permit

in a foreign country;

Has lived in a foreign country for a

period of less than ten years; or

Obtained an emigration permit from

one of the countries of emigration which

are determined by the minister

concerned with emigration affairs.

Only once an emigrant who has acquired a

foreign nationality has filled in form No 249,

which is available at Egyptian embassies and

which confirms the acquisition of the foreign

nationality, he/she is considered a permanent emigrant.


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Age

Graph 2.4 provides data

on the permanent

emigrants and those

who acquired emigrant

capacity according to

age groups, provided by

CAPMAS (AR).

No data on age groups

of temporary migrants

could be collected at

this stage.

Level of Education

According to data

provided by CAPMAS

(AR), the highest

number of permanent emigrants and those who acquired emigrant capacity were academics (graph 2.5).


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CAPMAS (AR) provides annual data on Egyptian temporary labour migrants by level of education, which

shows that temporary labour migrants comprised both high and low skills levels in 2009 (graph 2.6).

Business Area/Sector of Activity/Professional Position

According to data provided by CAPMAS (AR), the highest number of permanent emigrants and those

who acquired emigrant capacity were specialists of scientific professions or individuals who could not be

classified by profession (graph 2.7).


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No data on Business Area/Sector of Activity/Professional Position of temporary migrants could be

collected.

2.2 IMMIGRATION MOVEMENTS (INCLUDING RETURN MIGRATION)

2.2.1 The Extent of Immigration Movements

Stock of Immigrants

No national data could be collected at this stage.

The Population Division of the United Nations

Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)

(EN) provides estimates of the number of immigrants

in Egypt at mid-year, based on the national population

censuses (table 2.2).

Table 2.2 Egypt: Number of Immigrants

Number of immigrants 244,714 Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2009). Trends in International Migrant Stock: The 2008 Revision (United Nations database, POP/DB/MIG/Stock/Rev.2008).


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Immigration Flows

No data could be collected at this stage.

2.2.2 Main Countries of Origin

No data on the main

countries of origin of

immigrants in Egypt

could be collected at

this stage.

However, data of the

Ministry of Manpower

and Emigration

(MOME) (EN, AR)

shows that of the

14,416 work permits

granted to foreign

nationals in 2007,

about 55% were

granted to Arab

nationals, and about

40% were granted to

European nationals,

followed by Asian,

African, and American and Australian nationals to a less significant percentage (graph 2.8).

2.2.3 Characteristics of Immigrant Population

Gender

No national data could be collected at this stage.


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According to estimates of the

Population Division of the

United Nations Department of

Economic and Social Affairs

(UNDESA) (EN), based on

national population censuses,

the gender ratio among the

immigrant population in Egypt is

rather balanced, with almost

half of them being female

(graph 2.9).

Age

No data could be collected at

this stage.

Level of Education

No data on the level of education of immigrants could be collected at this stage.

However, CAPMAS (EN, AR) provided data on the distribution of foreign graduates from Egyptian

universities for the year 2006, which shows that Egypt hosted significant numbers of foreign students,

mainly from Arab and non-Arab Asian countries (graph 2.10).


The 2006 census collected data on foreign nationals by nationality and occupation, showing that the

occupations with the highest representation among foreign nationals working in Egypt were sales and

service workers and specialists (graph 2.11).


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2.2.4 Main Countries of Origin of Return Migrants

In 2005, return

migrants from

Europe mainly

returned from

Italy and France,

according to

data collected in

the course of

the Field Survey

Attitudes of

Egyptian Youth

Towards

Migration to

Europe (2006)

(EN), which was

carried out in

the framework

of the

Information Dissemination on Migration (IDOM) project, hosted by the Emigration Sector of the

Egyptian Ministry of Manpower and Emigration (MME) (EN, AR) and supported by the Cooperazione

Italiana (EN) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) (EN) (graph 2.12). The Field survey

was based on 1,552 questionnaires, which were answered by young males between 18 and 40 years of

age.

The IOM (EN, FR) case study Socio-economic profile of Egyptian migrants returning from Libya due to the crisis; sample analysis (August 2011) (EN) provides information on the Egyptians who returned from Libya due to the crisis.

2.2.5 Characteristics of Return Migrants to Egypt

This section provides information on the characteristics of return migrants to Egypt in general. In

addition, however, case studies exist that describe the characteristics of return migrants from specific

countries, such as the IOM (EN, FR) case study Socio-economic profile of Egyptian migrants returning

from Libya due to the crisis; sample analysis (August 2011) (EN), which provides information on the

Egyptians who returned from Libya due to the crisis.


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Gender and Age


Level of Education

The Egypt Labour Market Panel Survey 2006 (ELMPS 06), published in the Economic Research Forum

(EN) Working Paper An Overview of Internal and International Migration in Egypt (2007) (EN), provides

data on the level of education of return migrants in 2006 (graph 2.13).

The ELMPS 06 re-

interviewed a total sample

of 8,371 households, out of

which 3,701 households

had already participated in

the 1988 Egyptian Labour

Market Survey (ELMS).

2,167 were splits from the

original households, and

2,498 households had not

participated in the

previous survey. The

ELMPS 06 was conducted

by the Economic Research

Forum (EN) in cooperation

with the Population

Council (EN) and the

Central Agency for Public

Mobilization and Statistics

(CAPMAS) (AR, EN), supported by USAID-Egypt (EN) and the Ford Foundation (EN).



Graph 2.13 Egypt: Education of Current and Return Migrants in %, 2006

Source: Economic Research Forum (EN) Working Paper An Overview of Internal and

International Migration in Egypt (2007)


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3 TRANSNATIONAL LIFE OF MIGRANTS

3.1 NATIONAL LEGISLATION AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ON THE TRANSNATIONAL LIFE OF

MIGRANTS

The IOM (EN, FR) study Dynamics of the Egyptian Diaspora: Strengthening Development Linkages (2010)

(EN), which is based on a field survey of Egyptian emigrant communities in Kuwait, the United Kingdom

and the United States of America, provides information on Egyptian emigrant communities in these

countries and their links to their country of origin. According to this study, Egyptian emigrants reported,

inter alia, that many young expatriates refrained from visiting their country of origin because they

feared legal actions for not having completed their military service, which is obligatory for Egyptian

nationals under the age of 30 years. Exemptions from military service are possible, but the required

document is difficult to obtain, particularly due to the fact that the government missions that are

entrusted to issue this document come infrequently abroad. Furthermore, according to the same study,

many expatriates reported that they were not in contact with their embassies abroad and expected little

help from them.

Although the right to vote of all Egyptian nationals was granted by the constitution and by Law No. 73 of

1953, which was amended in 2005 and 2011, voting was hardly possible for many Egyptian expatriates

as they had to vote in actual voting polling stations in the exact district that is listed on national identity

cards, according to the Jadaliyya (AR, EN) article In Historic Ruling, Egyptian court Confirms Voting Rights

for Millions of Expats (2011) (EN). However, many Egyptians abroad were not registered at their

embassies nor did they have national identity cards. After the Arab Spring, many Egyptian expatriates

started to register with their embassies, hoping that they would eventually be able to vote. In

November 2011, an administrative court ruling granted Egyptians abroad the right to vote at Egyptian

embassies and consulates. For further information, please refer to:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (AR, EN, FR) news release Starting voting abroad at four

supplementary constituencies (EN);

The Jadaliyya (AR, EN) article In Historic Ruling, Egyptian court Confirms Voting Rights for

Millions of Expats (2011) (EN); and

The Al Arabiya News (AR, EN) article Egyptian expatriates vote, but not all of their compatriots

are happy about their patriotism (EN).

Table 3.1 provides an overview on additional legal provisions that are relevant to the transnational life

of migrants.


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Table 3.1 Egypt: Legislations and Policy Frameworks with Regard to the Transnational Life of Citizens

Emigration

Legislation Description

The Emigration and Sponsoring Egyptians Abroad Law No. 111 of 1983 (EN)

The main goal of the Egyptian Emigration Law is to maintain strong ties with Egyptians abroad, according to the CARIM (EN, FR) report The Migratory Patterns of Egyptians in Italy and France (2009) (EN). Overall, the law has two objectives:

To arrange both a permanent and temporary emigration system; and

To outline the provisions dealing with providing the necessary care and extending facilities to Egyptian emigrants before their departure from Egypt, after their arrival in host countries and to those who decide to return to Egypt.

Source: The information presented in this section derives from the Final report (2010) (AR, EN, FR) of the Joint ICMPD-IOM Project: Linking Emigrant Communities for More Development Inventory of Institutional Capacities and Practices (EN)

Dual Citizenship


Law No. 26 of 1975 (EN), as amended by Law No. 154 of 2004 (AR)

Art. 10: An Egyptian may not acquire a foreign nationality except after obtaining a permission therefore, to be issued by decree of the Minister of Interior. [...]

Source: Law No. 26 of 1975 (EN), as amended by Law No. 154 of 2004 (AR)

3.2 INVOLVMENT OF MIGRANT ORGANISATIONS IN THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

The EC-funded project European-wide African Diaspora Platform for Development (EADPD) will produce

a Comprehensive Database on African Migrant Organisations, which will provide information on the

African migrant organisations in EU MS and Switzerland working in the field of migration and

development, as well as on their activities and funding sources. As soon as the findings are available,

they will be fed into this section.


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4 FINANCIAL REMITTANCES TRANSFERS AND MIGRANTS INVESTMENTS

4.1 NATIONAL LEGISLATION ON ECONOMIC INCENTIVES FOR MIGRANTS

The Emigration and Sponsoring Egyptians Abroad Law No. 111 of 1983 (AR) provides for financial

incentives to encourage Egyptian emigrants abroad to invest in Egypt.

Table 4.1 Egypt: Legislations Incorporating Incentives Aimed to Encourage the Return of Financial Resources



Article 15 provides the following The returns of the investment of Egyptian migrants deposits in one of the banks operating in Egypt shall be exempted from all taxes and fees. Egyptian migrants or expatriates capital utilized in projects or investments in the country shall be granted all the advantages decided for foreign capital operating in the same field, or national capital, which is better. If capital is to be treated in various ways according to the foreign capital nationality, then the capital of migrants contributing in the said fields, shall be treated according to the most advantageous way.

4.2 FINANCIAL REMITTANCES DATA: INFLOWS, CHARACTERISTICS AND IMPACT

4.2.1 Financial Remittances Inflows

According to World Bank Data, Egypt is the most significant recipient of remittances, as quoted in the

IOM Egypt (EN) Migration and Development Factsheet (EN).

Data on flows of workers remittances in Egypt are recorded by the Central Bank of Egypt (EN), which

publishes the Balance of Payments and External Trade in its Annual Reports (AR, EN). They have in-

creased continuously from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2004/05 to 2007/08. From FY 2007/08 to FY 2008/09, a

slight decrease could be observed. From FY 2008/09 to FY 2009/10, workers remittances increased

again (graph 4.1).


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An additional

source providing

data on

remittances

flows to Egypt is

the World Bank

(AR, EN, FR)

Migration and

Remittances

Factbook (EN).

World Bank data

on official

remittances

flows slightly

varies from the

data provided

through the

Central Bank of Egypt, notably because it includes compensation of employees, in addition to workers

remittances and due to different reporting periods (graph 4.2).


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The Relative Size of Remittances Inflows

Table 4.2 provides data on the extent of financial remittances as percentage of the Gross Domestic

Product (GDP) and of the receipts of Official Development Assistance (ODA), as well as the ratio of

workers remittances to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), both from national and international sources.

Amount/Frequency of Remittances Inflows to Egypt

Official remittances sent per migrant to Egypt in 2005 amounted to USD 2,091 (=EUR 1773), according to

World Bank Staff Estimates quoted in the ESCWA (AR, EN) Technical Paper International Migration and Development in the ESCWA Region: Challenges and Opportunities (AR, EN).

An additional source that provides

information on remittances and that

can be consulted for further

information is the

RemittancesGateway (EN) Country

Profile (EN) on Egypt. The

RemittancesGateway Flyer (EN)

provides an overview on the types of

information that can be found on the

website.

4.2.2 Main Countries of Origin of Financial Remittances

The Central Bank of Egypt (EN)

provides data on the origin of financial remittances inflows in its Annual Reports (AR, EN). For the fiscal

Table 4.2 - Egypt: Relative Size of Financial Remittance Inflows

According to the Central Bank

of Egypt (Fiscal Year 2008/2009)

According to the UNDP Human Development

Report (2009)

Inflows total (in millions) USD 7,806 (EUR 5,537) USD 7,656 (EUR 5,430)

% of GDP (2006/2007) 4.2 6.0

as % of net ODA receipts n/a 706.6

Ratio of workers remittances to FDI n/a 0.7 Source: Annual Report 2008/09 (EN)

of the Central Bank of Egypt (EN) Source: UNDP (EN, FR) Human Development Report (2009) (EN)

N.B: Currency converted according to the official EC exchange rate (EN), 01.01.2009


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year (FY) 2008/09, this

data shows that the most

important remittances

sending countries to

Egypt were the USA,

Kuwait, the United Arab

Emirates (UAE), and Saudi

Arabia (graph 4.3).

The UNDP (EN, FR)

Human Development

Report (2009) (EN)

provides data on the

origin of financial

remittances inflows by

continent, which

illustrates that with 59% the largest amount of financial remittances comes from Asia (graph 4.4).

4.2.3 Characteristics of Financial Remittances Recipients

Data gathered through the Egypt Labour Market Panel Survey 2006 (ELMPS 06), published in the

Economic Research Forum (EN) Working Paper An Overview of Internal and International Migration in

Egypt (2007) (EN),

shows that in 2006,

the persons sending

remittances were

mainly spouses with

65%, followed by

sons or daughters

with 23.92%, parents

with 6.4%, siblings

with 2.72%, and

other relatives with

only 1.66% (graph

4.5).

The ELMPS 06 also

provided data on the

characteristics of heads of households receiving remittances as compared to heads of households not

receiving remittances in 2006 (graphs 4.6 to graph 4.8). In addition, please also refer to the IOM (EN, FR)


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Study on Remittances and Investment Opportunities for Egyptian Migrants (2010) (EN) for data on the

characteristics of financial remittances recipients.

Gender

Age

According to data gathered through the Egypt Labour Market Panel Survey 2006 (ELMPS 06), published

in the Economic Research Forum (EN) Working Paper An Overview of Internal and International

Migration in Egypt (2007) (EN), the mean age of heads of households not receiving remittances was 47.1 years and the mean age of heads of households receiving remittances was 43.5 years.


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Level of Education


Page 27 of 44


4.2.4 Use of Financial Remittances Inflows

The IOM (EN, FR) Study on

Remittances and Investment

Opportunities for Egyptian

Migrants (2010) (EN) provides

data on the use of remittances

(graph 4.9). The study is based

on a survey of 200 remittance-

receiving households that has

been conducted in the four

governorates of Cairo,

Menofeya, Sharkia, and

Fayoum.


Page 28 of 44

4.2.5 Impact of Financial Remittances

Remittances lead to a reduction of poverty rates, as pointed out in the ESCWA (AR, EN) Technical Paper

International Migration and Development in the ESCWA Region: Challenges and Opportunities (AR, EN).

At the social level, remittances, which are viewed as a sign of success, can, inter alia, stimulate the

emigration of friends and relatives, and lead to different consumer values. The emigration of a family

member may have an impact on the social status and the roles of the household members in the

country of origin, according to the

same source.

4.3 MIGRANT FINANCIAL

REMITTANCES

MARKETPLACE:

CHANNELS AND COSTS

4.3.1 Mode of Financial Remittances Transfers to Egypt

Data gathered through the Egypt

Labour Market Panel Survey 2006

(ELMPS 06), published in the Economic Research Forum (EN) Working Paper An Overview of Internal and

International Migration in Egypt (2007) (EN), shows that the biggest share of remittances to Egypt has

been sent through informal channels, including 32%, which have been sent through Hawala, 31%, which

have been carried by friends or relatives, 8%, which have been carried by the migrant himself, 7%, which

have been sent by mail, and only 22%, which have been transferred through the banking system (graph

4.11).

The Facility for Euro- Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP) (EN) (FR) Study on improving

the efficiency of workers remittances in Mediterranean countries (2006) (EN) states that despite the

large Egyptian banking sector, including 56 banks, recipients of remittances were oftentimes

discouraged by their experiences with banks as Egyptian banks were usually reluctant to give credits to

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). This fact may have contributed to remittances receivers

preferring informal transfer channels, according to the same source.

According to the IOM (EN, FR) Study on Remittances and Investment Opportunities for Egyptian

Migrants (2010) (EN), the higher the level of education of a migrant and the higher the amount to be

transferred, the more likely it is that the migrant will transfer remittances through formal channels, i.e.

banks and official money transfer institutions.


Page 29 of 44

4.3.2 Financial Remittances Marketplace

Inbound Remittances Payout Rate by Institution

According to the report Sending Money

Home (2009) (EN), published by the

International Fund for Agricultural

Development (IFAD) (EN), the

concentration of remittance payout

locations in rural areas is 2%.

The same source points out that

Egyptian Banks have the highest inbound

remittances payout rate (76%), followed

by other institutions with 24%. The post,

foreign exchange bureaus (Forex),

microfinance institutions (MFI), and

retail have a payout rate of 0% in Egypt

(graph 4.11).

MTO participation in the remittances

market

Graph 4.12 illustrates that MoneyGram and Western Union are the most important Money Transfer

Operators (MTOs) in Egypt, according to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (EN)

report Sending Money

Home (2009) (EN).

In Egypt, there were 3,000

bank branches and 89

money transfer centres in

2004, according to the

European Investment

Bank, quoted in the

ESCWA (AR, EN) Technical

Paper International

Migration and

Development in the

ESCWA Region:

Challenges and

Opportunities (AR, EN).


Page 30 of 44

4.3.3 Costs of Money Transfers to Egypt

The following Money Transfer Price Comparison Services allow for queries on the money transfer costs

charged by Money Transfer Operators (MTOs) between Egypt and the sending countries covered. In

order to query the costs, please click on the service and select MTO and the amount.

Table 4.4 Egypt: Money Transfer Price Comparison Services

Service Established by Sending

Countries Covered

Amounts Covered

Money Transfer Operators (MTOs) Covered for Transfers

to Egypt

Geldtransfair (DE)

Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Technische Zu-sammenarbeit (GTZ) (now Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Inter-nationale Zusammen-arbeit (GIZ) (EN))

Germany Every amount up to a maximum of EUR 12,500 (in EUR)

Voxmoney, mobilcash, VoiceCash, HypoVereinsbank, Ria Envia, SEB, 1822direkt, Commerzbank, Sparkasse KlnBonn, Ziraat Bank International, comdirect bank, Berliner Volksbank, Dresdner Bank, ING DIBA, Easy Trans, MoneyGram, Deutsche Bank, Stadtsparkasse Mnchen, Berliner Sparkasse, Sparkasse KlnBonn, HypoVereinsbank, Isbank, Kreissparkasse Kln, ReiseBank, Western Union, Norisbank, Sparkasse Duisburg, Sparkasse Essen, VakifBank International, Volksbank Bochum Witten, Volksbank Ruhr Mitte, Mnchner Bank, Postbank, Volksbank Kln Nord

Geldnaarhuis (AR, EN, FR)

IntEnt (EN) The Nether-lands

Every amount (in EUR)

ABN AMRO (internetbankieren), MoneyGram, SNS Bank, ABN AMRO (papier), Western Union, Rabobank, ING Bank (internetbankieren), ING Bank (bankcheque)

Remittances Prices World-wide (EN)

World Bank (AR, EN, FR)

Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates

USD 200 USD 500

MTOs covered vary depending on the country combination between the sending countries and the receiving countries available for the respective Country corridor (EN) and can

be queried here (EN)

Send Money UK Governments Combinations Every MTOs covered vary depending


Page 31 of 44

4.4 COLLECTIVE FINANCIAL REMITTANCES AND DONATIONS

Collective remittances devoted to community development did not play a significant role in Egypt,

according to the Facility for Euro- Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP) (EN) (FR) Study on

improving the efficiency of workers remittances in Mediterranean countries (2006) (EN). However,

Egyptian emigrants supported Islamic organisations through the Zaqqat (2-5% of the income that shall

be donated to charitable causes according to the Quran once a year) and the Sadaqqa (voluntary

donations), according to the same source. These Islamic organisations mainly used this money for the

improvement of schools and mosques in their home villages.

4.5 MIGRANT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

4.5.1 Entreprises Started/Jobs Created by Egyptian Nationals Abroad in Egypt


4.5.2 Investment Volume of Egyptian Nationals Abroad in Egypt

No national data on migrant capital investment and entrepreneurship could be collected.

According to the IOM (EN, FR) Study on Remittances and Investment Opportunities for Egyptian

Migrants (2010) (EN), the government of Egypt has taken several steps towards the improvement of the

investment climate in Egypt by reforming the legal framework, which was so far, however, hardly

influenced the investment behavior of emigrants. This might be due to a lack of information on one

hand and due to the fact that migrants mainly invest in small and middle enterprises on the other hand.

For further information on the investments of Egyptian emigrants in Egypt, please refer to chapters 9

Home (EN) Department for International Development (EN)

between 91 sending and 125 receiving countries are covered (access drop-down menu here (EN))

amount (in sending country currencies)

on the country combination chosen between 91 sending countries and 125 receiving countries and can be queried here (EN)

NB: This list is not exhaustive * The information provided on this website is based in a one-time survey that has been conducted in 2007 and is not being updated.


Page 32 of 44

and 10 of to the IOM (EN, FR) Study on Remittances and Investment Opportunities for Egyptian Migrants

(2010) (EN).

Furthermore, case studies provide information on the capital investment and entrepreneurship of

Egyptian emigrants in certain countries, such as:

The Centro Studi di Politica Internazionale (CeSPI) (IT) publication Egyptian Diaspora

Cooperation with the homeland: migration networks and transnationalism between local

contexts (2005) (EN), according to which many Egyptian migrants in Italy preferred to invest in

Italy rather than in Egypt in the short and middle term, as they perceived Italy to offer more and

less risky investment opportunities, entailing less administrative efforts. However, most

Egyptian emigrants in Italy wished to open a business in Egypt at a later stage to complement

their entrepreneurial activities in Italy, according to the same source. The main reasons for this

wish were a diversification of risks, and the possibility to provide relatives back home with jobs.

Most business activities were small scale and linked to family networks. In rural areas,

investments in the agricultural sector were considered the safest option.

The IOM (EN, FR) case study Egyptian Entepreneurs in Italy trough the Global crisis. Fears, Hopes

and Strategies (AR, EN) provides further information on Egyptian Entrepreneurship in Italy,

including trading and investment operations between Italy and Egypt.

4.5.3 Financial Capacities of Egyptian Nationals Abroad in Egypt

No national data could be collected at this stage. Table 4.5 provides preliminary estimates on savings of

Egyptian emigrant communities.

Table 4.5 Egypt: Preliminary Estimates on Savings of Emigrant Communities

Stock of Emigrant Communities (mil.)

Emigrant Communities Savings est., 2009 (USD bil.)

Emigrant Communities Savings of GDP

Emigrant Communities savings of domestic saving

3.7 6 3% 26% Source: World Bank (AR, EN, FR) publication Migration and Development Brief 14: Preliminary Estimates of Diaspora Savings (2011) (EN) N.B: Calculations of the authors of the publication, using the World Banks Migration and Remittances Factbook 2011 and World Development Indicators. For more detailed information on the methodology please refer to the Migration and Development Brief 14 (EN)

4.5.4 Diaspora Bonds

No information on Diaspora bonds could be collected at this stage.


Page 33 of 44

5 RETURN MIGRATION AND REINTEGRATION

5.1 NATIONAL PROGRAMMES ON RETURN MIGRATION AND REINTEGRATION

Table 5.1 Egypt: Legal Framework Facilitating the Return of Egyptian Emigrants



Article 16 provides the following: Taking into consideration the provisions of the president of the Arab Republic of Egypts resolution in law no. 73 of the year 1971 , in relation to the treatment of Egyptian expatriates who return to their homeland , an Egyptian worker who emigrated and had been working in the government , one of the local governance units, general agencies or public sector, and whose resignation had been accepted for the purpose of permanent emigration, and who returned back home within two years from the date his resignation has been accepted, shall be re-appointed at the entity where he had been working before emigration if he applied for this within three months from the date of his final return . A worker shall be appointed to his last post, if it is still vacant, or to another similar post. A person whose emigration duration exceeds the period referred to in the previous paragraph may be reappointed, if he meets the conditions required for filling the post. In such case, the said person shall be exempted from the examination procedures or the contest required for filling the post.

In 2006, the level of outreach of governmental programmes offering return incentives was assessed as

limited by the World Bank (AR, EN, FR) publication Migration and Skills: The Experience of Migrant

Workers from Albania, Egypt, Moldova and Tunisia (2010) (EN).

5.2 IMPACT OF RETURN MIGRATION

No up-to-date information on the impact of return migrants could be collected at this stage. However, in 1988, the supplementary survey module on return labour migrants of the special round of

the Labour Force Sample Survey (LFSS), which was carried out by the Central Agency of Public

Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) (AR, EN) in 1988, provided extensive information on questions

related to return migrants.

Findings of the 1988 LFSS are presented in the following publications:

Return Migration and Entrepreneurship in Egypt (EN);

Return International Migration and Geographical Inequality: The Case of Egypt (2004); and

Overseas Work Experience, Savings and Entrepreneurship Amongst Return Migrants to LDCs

(2001) (EN).


Page 34 of 44

6 MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT: ACTORS AND INITIATIVES

6.1 LINKAGES BETWEEN MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN NATIONAL POLICIES

The Sixth Five-Year Plan 2007 - 2012 (AR, EN) is the current development strategy paper issued by the

Egyptian Ministry of Economic Development (AR, EN). Although it does not point out a specific strategy

that aims at harnessing the potentials of emigrants for development, it addresses selected points

related to migration and development, which are pointed out in table 6.1.

6.2 RELEVANT BILATERAL AGREEMENTS AND OTHER FRAMEWORKS OF COOPERATION

Relevant Bilateral Agreements

Egypt has signed bilateral agreements on labour migration with, inter alia, the following countries in order to provide a legal framework for Egyptian citizens abroad (table 6.2).

Table 6.2 Egypt: Bilateral Agreements on Labour Migration

Bulgaria

China (technical cooperation)

Greece

Iraq

Italy

Jordan

Kuwait

Libya

Morocco

Qatar

Senegal (technical cooperation)

Sudan

Yemen N.B: This list is not exhaustive Sources: Final report (2010) (AR, EN, FR) of the Joint ICMPD-IOM Project: Linking Emigrant Communities for More

Table 6.1 - Egypt: Migration and Development Issues Covered by the Sixth Five-Year Plan 2007 - 2012

Sector /Issue Objective/Strategy

Brain Drain The education strategy outlined in Chapter 6 Human and Social Development (EN) aims at addressing the shortage in technical professions resulting from emigration of skilled technicians

Rural Exodus

Chapter 7 Local Development (EN) aims at mitigating rural exodus by narrowing the income gap between urban and rural areas

Source: Ministry of Economic Development (AR, EN) Sixth Five-Year Plan 2007 - 2012 (AR, EN)


Page 35 of 44

Development Inventory of Institutional Capacities and Practices (EN), Sussex Centre for Migration Research (EN) report The Development Impact of Temporary International Labour Migration on Southern Mediterranean Sending Countries: Contrasting Exemples of Morocco and Egypt (2004) (EN), CARIM (EN, FR) Migration Profile Egypt (2010)

Free Movement Areas

Egypt is a Member State of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) (EN, FR)

which has adopted three Protocols related to Free Movement of Persons and Labour. These have so far

not been ratified by Egypt. For further information please refer to the COMESA Website (EN).

Development Cooperation

As shown in the OECD Development Database on Official Development Assistance (EN), the following

Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members and multilateral organisations have provided

Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Egypt in 2008 (table 6.3).

Table 6.3 - Egypt: Official Development Assistance by Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Members and Multilateral Organisations

DAC Members Multilateral organisations

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Canada

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Korea

Luxembourg

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Portugal

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

United States

EU Institutions

Global Environment Facility (GEF) (EN)

Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria

United Childrens Fund (UNICEF) (AR, EN, FR)

United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) (EN, FR)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (EN, FR)

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) (EN, FR).

N.B: This list is not exhaustive Source: OECD Development Database on Aid, accessed 22.10.2010

The website Aidflows (AR, EN, FR) allows for a visualisation of aid flows to Egypt, as well as data on key

development indicators and millennium development goals.

With regard to the Egypt-EU relations, the framework of cooperation is set out in the Country Strategy

Paper for Egypt (2008 2013) (FR).


Page 36 of 44

6.3 DESCRIPTION OF MOST RELEVANT NATIONAL MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT

ACTORS

The following national actors are active in areas related to Migration and Development in Egypt (table

6.4).

International and regional organisations active in areas related to migration and development include, inter alia:

African Development Bank Group (EN, FR);

Delegation of the European Union to Egypt (AR, EN)

IFAD (EN)

ILO (EN);

IOM (EN);

UNDP (EN); and

World Bank (AR, EN).

Table 6.4 - Egypt: National Actors Active in the Area of Migration and Development

Ministry Agency Involvement with Migration and Development

Ministry of Manpower and Emigration (AR, EN)

Emigration Sector

Sponsoring of Egyptians abroad, harnessing the Egyptian potential abroad, and establishing an integrated database on Egyptians abroad.*

The Higher Committee for Migration

Considering the organisation of specialised courses aiming at qualifying potential migrants and provision of Egyptians abroad with the necessary cultural and national materials to maintain their ties with Egypt, etc. The HCM is set to convene once every three months upon the request of its chairman. However, the HCM faces challenges to convene regularly and many of its tasks have not yet been implemented.*

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EN)

N/a Protection of legal migrants from racial discrimination and guaranteeing of rights and dignity of the Egyptian community residing abroad.*

Ministry of Interior (EN)

N/a Pursuit of a general policy to facilitate legal emigration, introduction of facilities for Egyptians abroad to ensure that they can enjoy a safe environment while abroad.*

Supreme Committee for Emigration

As pointed out in the Emigration and Sponsoring Egyptians Abroad Law No. 111 of 1983 (EN), a Supreme Committee for Emigration headed by the Minister concerned with Emigration Affairs is to be set up. Further information can be found in art. 4 and 5 of the law.

N.B: This list is not exhaustive

*Source: Information derives from the Final Report (2010) (AR, EN, FR), Joint ICMPD-IOM Project: Linking Emigrant Communities for More Development Inventory of Institutional Capacities and Practices (EN)


Page 37 of 44

Table 6.6 lists examples of joint chambers of commerce.

6.4 INITIATIVES RELATED TO THE TRANSNATIONAL LIFE OF MIGRANTS

The following examples of initiatives related to transnational life of migrants have been introduced by

national and international institutions (table 6.6).

Table 6.6 Egypt: Initiatives by National and International Institutions Related to the Transnational Life of Migrants

Agency Initiative Cooperation Aim

Emigration Sector of the Ministry of Manpower and Emigration (MME) (AR, EN)

Integrated Migration Information System (IMIS) 2001-2005 (AR, EN)

Donor: Italian Cooperation (EN) Implementing Agency: International Organization for Migration (IOM) (EN)

To provide a technical tool that supports the Emigration Sector in the management of regular migration flows from Egypt, improving migrants social status in destination countries and channeling human and financial resources generated by migration. The main outputs of the project were the setting up and launching of a website for job opportunities abroad and the creation of a portal for Egyptian migrants.

Emigration Sector of the MME (AR, EN)

IMIS Plus 2008-2010 (EN)

Donor: Italian Cooperation (EN) Implementing Agency: IOM (EN)

Fine-tune the integrated information system set up in Phase I of the IMIS project, enhance socio-economic links with Egyptians abroad and promote a more effective management of Egyptian labour migration.

Emigration Sector of the MME (AR,

Egyptians Abroad Conferences

Ministry of Investment (AR, EN, FR)

Ministry of

To: 1) Enhance the development process in Egypt and the investment

Table 6.5 - Egypt: Examples of Joint Chambers of Commerce

Austria Egypt

Great Britain Egypt

Greece - Egypt

Palestine Egypt

Turkey Egypt N.B: This list is not exhaustive Source: Turkey, Egypt sign deal to set up joint chamber of commerce (EN), Joint Egyptian-Palestinian chamber of commerce established (EN) http://www.arabgreekchamber.gr/en/index.asp, http://aecc1.tripod.com/, http://www.theebcc.com/membership/why_join


Page 38 of 44

EN) (AR, EN) organised by the MME. The latest one was held in July 2009 in Cairo.

Communications and Information Technology (AR, EN)

Ministry of Higher Education (AR, EN, FR)

Ministry of Education (AR)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (AR, EN, FR)

Ministry of Interior (AR, EN)

Ministry of Defense

Social Fund for Development (AR)

National Council for Youth

Banque Misr (EN)

Stock Market

environment and conditions 2) Enhance interaction with 2nd and 3rd generation migrants and their link to Egypt 3) Provide opportunity for discussion on the recent development of the communication sector in Egypt 4) Provide opportunity for discussion on political participation and the democracy process in Egypt

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) (EN), Regional Office to the Middle East in Cairo (EN)

Research project: Dynamics of the Egyptian Diaspora - Strengthening Development Linkages (EN) (concluded in July 2010)

Ministry of Manpower and Emigration (MME) (AR, EN)

To explore the potential role of Egyptian emigrants abroad in the development of their communities of origin. The study is based on a field survey of Egyptian emigrant communities in Kuwait, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) (EN), Regional Office to the Middle East in Cairo (EN)

Project: Enhancing Existing Bonds between the Egyptian Diaspora and their Homeland (currently being implemented)

MME (AR, EN) To: 1) Assist the Egyptian Government in conducting fact-finding assessments in various countries hosting a significant Egyptian emigrant community 2) Assist the MME to link emigration policy with economic and social development and enhance existing bonds between Egyptian emigrants abroad and their country of origin

Citizens for Develop-ment Foundation (CDF)

Middle East Develop-ment

Project: Sustainability in Development Projects (EN) (currently being implemented)

Donors: EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) (EN), European Union (EN, FR).

To: 1) Raise the capacity of Local NGOs in Upper Egypt to implement sustainable development projects 2) Provide local NGOs in the least developed governorates in Upper Egypt, with needed knowledge and skills to build sustainable


Page 39 of 44

Dialogue and Solidarity (MEDDS)

development projects 3) Help the Arab migrant community in Cyprus and the Egyptian community in general understand the development needs and prerequisites in the least developed governorates in Upper Egypt, explore their potential futuristic role in developing these areas and foster future cooperation

German-Arab Friendship Association (DAFG) (AR, EN)

The Arab Expatriates Department (EN) at the League of Arab States (AR)

Project: Entrepreneurial Knowledge: Towards Arab German-Egyptian Women Development Experience (EN) (currently being implemented)

Donors: EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) (EN), European Union (EN, FR).

To increase the Arab womens participation in economy by: 1) Enhancing the knowledge of Egyptian female entrepreneurs on smallscale projects through trans-ferring entrepreneurial skills to them from skilled Migrant Arab businesswomen in Germany 2) Developing networks and partnerships between Arab migrant businesswomen in Germany and their counterparts in the Arab countries, especially in Egypt 3) Supporting Arab migrant business-women in Germany to get better information about job and investment opportunities, and the current situation in their home countries

Coptic Orphans (EN) and partners

The Grassroot Partnership Initiatives (EN) 2006 - 2009

Donor: Coptic Migrant Donors

To address the root causes of poverty by involving migrants in development initiatives

National Council for Human Rights (AR, EN, FR).

Support to the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) for the Develop-ment of a Comprehensive Strategy to Safe-guard Migrants Rights (EN)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) (EN)

To promote and safeguard the rights of Egyptian citizens abroad and foreign nationals transiting through Egypt by strengthening national mechanisms for the protection of migrants rights through the provision of technical assistance to the NCHR for the establishment of a Migration Unit (MU).

NB: This list is not exhaustive Source: Information derives from the Final Report (2010) (AR, EN, FR) of the Joint ICMPD-IOM Project: Linking Emigrant Communities for More Development Inventory of Institutional Capacities and Practices (EN), EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) (EN)


Page 40 of 44

In December 2010, the League of Arab States (AR, EN) Arab Expatriates Department held the First

Conference of Arab Expatriates A Bridge for Communication. Conference documents can be

downloaded here (EN).

6.5 INITIATIVES RELATED TO FINANCIAL REMITTANCES INFLOWS AND MIGRANTS

INVESTMENTS

The following examples of initiatives related to remittances and migrants investments have been

introduced by national and international institutions (table 6.7).

Table 6.7 Egypt: Initiatives by National and International Institutions Related to Remittances and Other Financial Transfers


Emigration Sector of the MME (AR, EN)

Egyptians Abroad Conferences (AR, EN) (see table 6.6)

See table 5.2 See table 5.2

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) (EN) Regional Office to the Middle East in Cairo (EN)

Research project (under IMIS (EN) project, see table 6.6): Migrants Opportunities for Investment in Egypt (currently being implemented)

MME (AR, EN) and the Center for Migration and Refugee Studies (EN) at the American University of Cairo (AR, EN)

To explore the patterns of remittance transfers and use at the level of households in high-migration areas and the potential of such remittances to be pooled and used for community-based development projects

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) (EN) Regional Office to the Middle East in Cairo (EN)

IOM is Focal Point of the EC/UN Joint Migration & Development Initiative in Egypt (EN) 2008-2011

UN Country Team in Egypt (EN), Delegation of the EU in Egypt (AR, EN), and the Egyptian Government

To support small scale actors to contribute to link migration and development in 16 selected countries of origin. Priority areas: (i) migrant remittances, (ii) migrant communities, (iii) migrants capacities, and (iv) migrants rights.

DFID (EN) Establishment of a website on remittance transfer costs in selected countries: www.sendmoneyhome.org

N/A Key objective: To provide persons with up-to-date comparative information on transfer costs between various countries.

NB: This list is not exhaustive Source: Information derives from the Final Report (2010) (AR, EN, FR) of the Joint ICMPD-IOM Project: Linking Emigrant Communities for More Development Inventory of Institutional Capacities and Practices (EN)


Page 41 of 44

6.6 INITIATIVES RELATED TO RETURN MIGRATION AND REINTEGRATION

The following examples of initiatives related to return migration and reintegration have been

introduced by national and international institutions (table 6.8).

Table 6.8 - Egypt: Initiatives by National and International Institutions Related to Return Migration and Reintegration


Athens

Network of

Co-

llaborating

Experts

(ANCE) (EN)

Egyptian

Agribusiness

Association,

Egypt

(EAGA) (EN).

Migrant Skills Transfer in the Aquaculture Industry: The case of Greece and Egypt (EN). (currently being im-plemented)

Donors: EC-UN Joint Migration and Develop-ment Initiative (JMDI) (EN), European Union (EN, FR)

To facilitate the development of the Egyptian aquaculture industry by, inter alia:

Informing Egyptian skilled workers in the Greek industry on jobs in Egypt

Supporting Egyptian return migrants to find jobs with reception office'

Creating a database of min. 500 Egyptian workers and all Egyptian academics/scientists in the aquaculture and fisheries industries (ACF) in Greece and Egypt

Skills development of Egyptian workers in Greece

Encouraging the migration of skilled people

Strengthening linkages between the Greek and Egyptian ACF industries

Source: EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) (EN).

Furthermore, the EC- UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) (EN, FR) offers an E-Learning

Course on Running your M&D Project Successfully (EN, FR) free of charge, covering all phases of project

cycle management from Programming to Evaluation, while providing tips based on the experiences of

the JMDI projects.


Page 42 of 44

7 DATA COLLECTION SYSTEMS

For detailed information on the statistical system of Egypt please refer to:

Country Profiles of Statistical Systems (EN) of the United Nations Department of Economic and

Social Affairs (UNDESA) (AR, EN, FR);

Country profiles (EN) of the World Bank (AR, EN, FR) Bulletin Board on Statistical Capacity (BBSC)

(EN); and

The Guide on the Compilation of Statistics on International Migration in the Euro-Mediterranean

Region International Migration in the Euro-Mediterranean Region (September 2009) (EN) of the

Euro-Mediterranean statistical cooperation (MEDSTAT) (EN), which is funded by the European

Union (EN, FR).

The report Migrants Count: Five Steps Toward Better Migration Data (AR, EN, FR), published by the

Commission on International Migration Data for Development Research and Policy, provides

recommendations to remedy the lack of good data on migration and its effects on development.

7.1 DATA ON MIGRATION (INCLUDING RETURN MIGRATION)

Based on the Presidential Decree 2915 for 1964 (EN), the Central Agency of Public Mobilization and

Statistics (CAPMAS) (EN, AR) is the official source for provision of data, statistics, and reports to assist all

the state agencies and authorities, universities, research centers, and international organisations in

planning, developing, assessing, and making policies and decisions.

Article 11 of this Decree provides that:

Each ministry, governorate, public authority and public institution shall create a department

adjunct to CAPMAS titled "Central Statistical Department" in the ministry, governorate, public

authority or public institution.

The type of data collected is pointed out below (table 7.1).

Table 7.1 Egypt: Main National and International Sources

National Sources

Agency/ type of data collection

Frequency Data provided

Characteristics Accessibility

Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) (AR, EN) - Population

10-year-intervals

The 2006 census contained a short module on Egyptians

The coverage of data on resident aliens is not consistent from one census to another. No data on place of arrival and departure was collected

Census data accessible through the Central Agency for Public Mobili-sation and Statistics (CAPMAS) (AR, EN)


Page 43 of 44

Censuses abroad

The Egypt Labor Market Survey and the Egypt Labor Market Panel Survey, published by the Economic Research Forum (EN) in co-operation with the Population Council (EN) and CAPMAS (AR, EN),

Egypt Labour Market Panel Survey (ELMPS 2006); Egyptian Labour Market Survey (ELMS 1988)

The ELMPS 2006 covered, inter alia, migration as well as remittances and non-work related income

The survey re-interviewed a total sample of 8,371 households, out of which 3,701 households had already participated in the 1988 ELMS. 2,167 were splits from the original households, and 2,498 households had not participated in the previous survey. The ERF Working Paper Egypt Labour Market Panel Survey 2006: Report on Metho-dology and Data Collection (2007) (EN) elaborates on the methodology of the ELMPS 06.

Results of the survey were published in the Economic Research Forum (EN) Working Paper An Overview of Internal and International Migration in Egypt (2007) (EN). Data files of the ELMPS can be requested from Ms. Nabeel ([email protected]).

Ministry of Manpower and Emigration (MOME) (EN, AR) and CAPMAS (AR, EN) - Occasional field surveys

No regular intervals

Differs according to survey

Differs according to survey Survey reports are freely accessible (e.g. Attitudes of Egyptian Youth Towards Migration to Europe (2006) (EN)). Raw data is not accessible

CAPMAS (AR, EN) Estimates.

Annually Estimates of Egyptian emigrants

Estimates are based on:

Border Cards, data on departure & arrival from the Passports, Emigration & Nationality Administration (AR, EN) in the Ministry of Interior (MoI) (AR, EN)

Work permits of the MoI and the MOME (EN, AR).

Freely accessible

Source: European Commission, Directorate for Economic and Financial Affairs, Occasional Papers 60, April 2010, Labour Market Performance and Migration Flows in the Arab Mediterranean Countries: Determinants and Effects. Volume 3: National Background Papers Mashreq: Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria (EN).

International Sources

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), (EN) Population Division (EN) (2009) Trends in Internat. Migrant Stock: The 2008 Revision (EN)

Five-year intervals

Number of immigrants, number of immigrants as % of population, percentage of female immigrants

Estimates based on census data. For further information on data sources and the methodology for estimating the international migrant stock please refer to http://esa.un.org/migration/index.asp?panel=4.

Data accessible at: http://esa.un.org/migration/index.asp?panel=2.


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7.2 DATA ON FINANCIAL REMITTANCES INFLOWS

Table 7.2 Egypt: Main National and International Sources

National Sources

Agency/ type of data collection

Frequency Data provided Accessibility

Central Bank of Egypt (EN).

Quarterly (Economic Review (AR, EN)), Annually (Annual Report (AR, EN)).

Workers' remittances Free access

International Sources

World Bank (AR, EN, FR).

Annually Workers' remittances and compensation of employees

Free access

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (EN)

One-time survey In the framework of the IFAD project Sending Money Home (2009) (EN) surveys were carried out in 19 countries in collaboration with microfinance institutions (MFIs) belonging to the International Network of Alternative Financial Institutions (INAFI) (EN). Staff in each institution surveyed 200 clients and 400 neighbours within the geographical coverage of the MFI branches.

Results of the survey are accessible in the report Sending Money Home (2009) (EN), published by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (EN)

egypt_en

Documents

relevant national migration

migration situation

impact of return migration

case national data

financial remittances

national legislation

mtm imap migration

national programmes