British Ambassador to Egypt John Casson on Thursday (February 9th) announced the signing of a $2.5 million British programme to assist Egypt in combating human trafficking, Egypt's Ahram Online reported.
The UK strongly supports Cairo’s efforts in this area, he said.
"Human trafficking costs the world six billion euros ($6.4 billion) annually," Casson said, praising a recent law approved by the Egyptian government which incriminates all parties involved in human trafficking operations.
Casson said the law, signed by President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi in November 2016 amid a hike in the number of migrants departing the country for Europe, underscores Egypt’s political will to curb this phenomenon.
The British ambassador also praised Egypt's role in aiding immigrants and refugees and its assistance to neighbouring Libya, which is considered the main point of departure for refugees and irregular migrants traveling to Europe.
The head of Egypt's National Co-ordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Immigration, Ambassador Naela Gabr, welcomed the announcement of the programme, which is under the supervision of the International Organisation for Migration.
