As a country of origin, transit and destination, migration in Egypt
plays a crucial role in its socio-economic and political
development.  To discuss ways to increase the benefits of
migration, IOM and the Egyptian Institute for Diplomatic Studies
are organizing a seminar opening today in Cairo.

Discussions during the next two days aim to widen and deepen the
knowledge and understanding of migration, both regular and
irregular, and to further strengthen the capacity of various
stakeholders to better address migration issues facing Egypt.

According to Egypt's Central Authority for Public Mobilization
and Statistics (CAPMAS), the number of Egyptians working abroad
reached 784,912 in June 2006.  Of this figure, 347,824 had
received a work license for the first time, while 437,088 were
working on renewed licenses. 

These labour migrants sent home an estimated USD 3.34 billion in
remittances in 2007. The highest source of remittances for Egypt is
Saudi Arabia, with USD 1.7 billion. Egyptians working in the US,
the fifth largest source of remittances, sent home USD 145 million
in 2007.

For more information please contact:

Fiona Elassiuty

IOM Cairo

E-mail: "mailto:felassiuty@iom.int">felassiuty@iom.int