الهيئة العامة للرقابة المالية

• This move toward direct outreach ensures FRA’s impact is felt on the ground.
• Improving citizens’ living standards by raising awareness of micro-project financing opportunities.
• Experts provided practical workshops on micro-insurance.

As part of its social responsibility, Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) launched a field tour in Assiut through its training arm, the Financial Services Institute (FSI). This move represents a practical shift toward direct citizen engagement, aiming to raise awareness of non-banking financial services (NBFS) as tools for business growth and improved living standards.

This tour aligns with FRA’s strategy to translate theoretical knowledge into tangible local impact. By interacting directly with citizens and civil society organizations, FRA is building bridges of trust between regulators and the community. This collaborative effort involves various FRA departments, including FSI, Awareness and Financial Literacy Department, and Media Center.

The visit featured specialized workshops addressing issues central to citizens’ livelihoods, notably sustainability and the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity. A key focus was sustainable finance mechanisms, particularly carbon credits, introduced as an innovative funding tool to help farmers expand their activities and secure new revenue streams.

Led by Dr. Tarek Seif (Executive Director of FSI), Rasha Kleib (Head of Planning, Follow-up, and Quality Assurance – FSI), and Eng. Omar El-Nemer (Carbon Markets Expert), the delegation focused on the accessibility of micro-finance and micro-insurance. These products are designed to scale existing micro-projects and incentivize new ventures, driving comprehensive development within the governorate.

The sessions witnessed high levels of engagement, with residents inquiring about financing mechanisms, consumer protection guarantees within NBFS markets, and FRA’s regulatory role. Representatives provided transparent, direct answers to reinforce trust and promote the responsible use of financial instruments.

On the sidelines of the tour, a coordination meeting was held with “Al-Afdal Association” – a civil society organization under the Ministry of Social Solidarity. The talks focused on enhancing services for farmers and building the capacity of the association’s staff through specialized training in non-banking finance, positioning the association as a local hub for financial literacy.

The tour extended its reach to children through simplified interactive activities and the distribution of custom-made FRA booklets. These resources aim to instill concepts of saving and financial planning at an early age, reflecting a long-term vision to build a financially literate generation.

FRA confirmed that this tour is the first in a series of planned field visits across Egypt’s governorates. This initiative is rooted in a vision to economically empower citizens, enabling them to utilize non-banking financial services as genuine drivers for sustainable development and a better quality of life.