Roundup: Egyptian experts snub so-called "higher quality" programs proposed by West

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CAIRO, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Western countries have launched several development initiatives boasting "higher quality" to woo developing countries, but those projects need practical measures to prove their promises are not a media show, according to Egyptian experts.

"The impacts of those projects have not been fruitful yet," said Gamal Bayoumi, secretary general of the Egyptian European Association at the Ministry of International Cooperation.

Terming the west initiatives as a "media show" to expand influence in the Middle East and the African countries, Bayoumi doubts these programs have practical tools or mechanisms for implementation on a wide scale, like funding banks.

Ezzat Saad, director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, agrees that western projects still have a long way to produce tangible results as they are not based on a win-win ground that attracts developing countries.

In June, leaders of the Group of Seven pledged to raise 600 billion U.S. dollars in finance over five years to fund needed infrastructure in developing countries in an initiative called "Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII)."

"The seriousness of the western initiative is questioned. So far, it is talks and nothing has been implemented," Saad said, adding that large funds of the western initiative will come from the private sector that imposes harsh politicized conditions.

Saad sees the PGII as "just a maneuver to expand influence in growing countries in name of development."

To boost growth in many developing countries that lack efficient access to local, regional and global markets, they need quality infrastructure that reliably integrates them to the global economy and strengthens domestic linkages, according to Bayoumi.

Speaking about another example of western programs, Bayoumi suggested that the European Global Gateway strategy should offer assistance to developing countries based on equal partnerships, safe and secure infrastructure, and integration of the private sector.

Promising billions of euros to Africa, under the Global Gateway project, Bayoumi said western countries try to "re-establish the EU's standing after losing its appeal in many countries."

In the African arena, "European countries have a long history of draining the African countries' resources," he added.

He reiterated that the European countries should adhere new approach that changes the way of development, economic policy, and scaling up private sector investment without intervention in the internal affairs of African countries. Enditem

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