Four-hour discussions set the foundations for mechanisms to develop Egyptian exports
Participation of the Minister of Industry underscores government integration and coordination to enhance productive capacity and competitiveness
Dr. Mohamed Farid:
- No incentives without measurable and trackable targets; we will work diligently to define and implement them
- A comprehensive plan linking exhibition, manufacturing, export rebate programs, employment, and foreign direct investment
- The meeting is foundational and will be followed by specialized sessions to define targets and implementation and monitoring mechanisms
- Today marks the starting point toward a future based on execution, monitoring, and accountability against targets
- There is no magic solution; transforming the real economy requires actionable and measurable plans
- We will link the financial sector—both banking and non-banking—with industry and exports to leverage innovative financing solutions
Eng. Khaled Hashem:
- The Ministry of Industry is working to deepen local manufacturing and increase local content within value chains to enhance competitiveness and reduce imports
- The next phase will witness close coordination with export councils to develop rapid, sector-specific solutions
At a critical juncture for the Egyptian economy, and within 72 hours of assuming office, Dr. Mohamed Farid, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, and Eng. Khaled Hashem, Minister of Industry, held an extended four-hour meeting with the heads of 13 export councils and officials from relevant entities. The meeting comes within the state’s direction to restructure the export development system and link it to clear quantitative targets. These efforts aim to support the national economy, enhance competitiveness, increase employment, attract foreign investment, and strengthen macroeconomic stability.
The discussions featured intensive technical deliberations. The Minister of Investment outlined the foundations of a new executive framework for managing the export file. This framework is based on disciplined partnership between the government and the private sector, and on linking incentives to clearly defined and measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) for each sector.
Dr. Mohamed Farid stressed that the new phase is based on a clear principle: “No incentives without measurable, verifiable, and trackable targets.” He confirmed that export rebate programs will be linked to growth rates, production capacity expansion, employment levels, and plans to penetrate specific markets.
The Minister noted that this meeting represents the first step in a series of focused sessions to be held with each export council individually. These sessions will define sector-specific targets and establish regular monitoring mechanisms to ensure the achievement of export objectives in line with Egypt’s capabilities.
In direct remarks, Dr. Farid stated that today’s meeting marks the beginning of a new phase centered on execution, monitoring, and accountability based solely on targets. He added: “There is no magic solution; transforming the real economy requires clear, actionable, and measurable plans.”
He further affirmed that the Ministry will work to strengthen linkages between the financial sector—particularly non-banking institutions—and industry and exports, in order to leverage innovative financing solutions. Meetings between both sides will be held soon.
The Minister explained that the export system will focus on expanding participation in international exhibitions and trade missions, promoting export-oriented manufacturing, developing export rebate programs, attracting new investments to increase production capacity, and opening new markets, particularly in Africa.
He emphasized that expansion into all markets, especially African markets, will remain a central priority in the coming phase. This will be accompanied by a focus on high value-added industries that generate employment and boost exports, thereby strengthening the national economy’s capacity for sustainable growth and improving macroeconomic indicators.
On his part, Eng. Khaled Hashem, Minister of Industry, affirmed that the Ministry is working intensively to deepen local manufacturing and increase local content within production chains. This will enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian products and reduce the import bill.
He added that the next phase will involve close coordination with export councils to develop rapid, practical solutions tailored to each sector. The objective is to enable factories to expand production with higher quality and more competitive costs, facilitating access to external markets and increasing the contribution of industry to economic growth and job creation.
Participants agreed that this meeting represents a turning point in the management of the export file. The new approach is based on genuine partnership between the government and the private sector, working within defined targets, clear timelines, and robust monitoring mechanisms. This is expected to drive a qualitative leap in exports, reduce the trade deficit, and enhance national productive capacity in the coming years.
Heads of export councils presented a number of key demands, including the provision of financing to support industrial expansion and the development of targeted programs to deepen specific industries, such as electric vehicle manufacturing, in order to strengthen production capacity and competitiveness.
They also highlighted the importance of upgrading machinery and production lines in the printing sector, attracting long-term investments in the medical sector—leveraging Egypt’s strengths in scientific research—and enhancing product quality and export performance.
Further recommendations focused on managing international competition more effectively in the textiles sector, fostering integration between local manufacturers and international partners, and expanding into external markets.
Participants also emphasized the importance of establishing specialized training centers for workers in the footwear sector to improve labour efficiency and product quality in line with international standards.
Additional proposals included developing automated slaughterhouse systems, upgrading facilities in the Robbiki industrial zone, attracting global fashion houses and establishing partnership arrangements with them, and improving quarry systems to support export-oriented industries, including agricultural products and building materials.
Representatives of the export councils commended the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade for its prompt engagement with stakeholders, noting the Ministry’s responsiveness just days after Dr. Mohamed Farid assumed office.
The meeting was attended by officials from entities affiliated with the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, including the General Organization for Export and Import Control, the Egyptian General Authority for Exhibitions and Conferences, and the Commercial Representation Authority, in addition to heads and members of several export councils, including those representing ready-made garments, chemicals and fertilizers, food industries, home textiles, engineering and electronics industries, printing and packaging, medical industries, textiles and garments, leather and footwear, building materials, real estate, agricultural crops, and furniture.
