International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr said that Egypt's participation in the meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB) reflects the keenness of the Egyptian government to achieve regional integration especially that there are strategic relations between Egypt and African nations.

Nasr arrived here to take part in the annual meeting of the AfDB which kicked off on Monday.

The minister, who led the Egyptian delegation to the meeting, told MENA that there are many projects funded by the AfDB in Egypt, adding that it provided 500 million dollars to support the Egyptian budget to back the Egyptian government in its reforms and social programs.

She further underlined that the bank helps Egypt in boosting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which provide job opportunities.

The SMEs are part of the cabinet's goals to improve the livelihood of the Egyptian citizen.

The AfDB backs Egypt in upgrading the infrastructure such as electricity and transportation, the minister reiterated, noting that the sanitation projects will be discussed with the bank.