Dr. Marwa El Daly’s Speech – Founder and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Misr Waqf Foundation, at the Signing Ceremony of the Partnership Protocol with QNB Bank to Support the “OSTAWAT” Project

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to begin my remarks by extending deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this partnership, foremost among them the esteemed team at QNB Bank. We are gathered here today not only to sign a new protocol but also to renew a shared commitment to a path we have chosen together—a path of empowerment, productivity, and genuine change.

I would like to particularly recognize Mr. Mohamed Bedeir, whom I see as a rare man embodying all the finest qualities—so much so that everyone has come to love and respect him for his pioneering role in advancing Egypt and its wonderful people. I also extend thanks to his remarkable team, especially Rami and all the amazing individuals around us here today.

At the Misr Waqf Foundation, we believe that sustainable development begins with the individual—through empowerment and the restoration of their position in society via skills and knowledge. We believe in our rich heritage and in the knowledge and excellence our civilization has contributed to the world. Among the most profound symbols of this heritage is the Egyptian “osta“—the skilled, creative craftsman. We take pride in reviving this image through the “Asatwaat” project.

The “Osatwaat–Misr” project in the field of hospitality textiles is more than just a training program or a premium brand—it is a movement born from the belief that Egyptian products can compete, inspire, and make a real difference in the job market and society. We are building a new generation of “Osṭas”—not in word alone, but through proper qualification, training, and economic and social empowerment.

We are pleased to announce today that QNB’s support in the first phase enabled the graduation of 35 young women from modest backgrounds, who received intensive training and have become shining examples of skill and self-reliance. Today, thanks to the new grant we are signing, we will be able to train over 75 new beneficiaries. This means we are on the verge of reaching more than 100 professionally trained and qualified Egyptian “osṭas.”

This impact has already started to manifest on the ground. Graduates of the program fully furnished a hotel in the Maadi district—from bedding to curtains—with a level of quality that received praise and appreciation. We were honored by a special visit from the Governor of Cairo during the graduation ceremony, who commended the project and its partnership and expressed his support for its expansion into other governorates. Moreover, a number of graduates have already secured excellent job opportunities at prestigious institutions, reflecting the success and economic and social value of this model.

The Misr Waqf Foundation is proud of its strategic partnership with QNB, which believed in this dream from the beginning and continues to walk with us step by step in making it a reality. This type of partnership reflects what can be achieved when vision, trust, and determination come together between financial institutions and development organizations.

I thank QNB Bank for its renewed trust and look forward to this experience inspiring more institutions to join us in building a sustainable, human-centered, and forward-looking economy.

Thank you all, and thank you to everyone who contributes to turning a dream into impact.