Egypt’s Social Solidarity Minister Nevin El-Qabbaj and USAID’s new Egypt director Leslie Reed met virtually on Tuesday for a discussion that covered the new NGO law and cooperation in various fields.

The pair discussed cooperation in response to the implications of the coronavirus pandemic, an official statement from the ministry said, as well as on social protection, economic empowerment, crises and relief, efforts to combat all forms of violence against women, and support centres that host abused women.

El-Qabbaj added that the ministry is close to issuing the executive regulations on the law, which regulates civil society organisations operating in Egypt, noting that these regulations were created in partnership with community leaders, civil society organisations, MPs, as well as specialised experts and knowledgeable figures.

Reed hailed Egypt’s efforts in the field of social protection, adding that the amended NGO law constitutes a significant step to boost social participation, the statement read.

The US aid agency representative also lauded the social solidarity ministry’s efforts around issues that affect the lives of marginalised groups of people.

The House of Representatives passed an amended NGO law in July 2019, after the existing version of the law was criticised for imposing steep restrictions on the work of tens of thousands of civil society organisations in the country.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly formed a committee to oversee the amendment of the original NGO law in 2018, after President Abdel-Fattah El asked for revisions to be made.