Egypt industrial exports surge to $17.6 bln in H1 2025 - Economy
This figure is up from the $16 billion in exports recorded during the same period in 2024, Minister El-Wazir said during the sixth Egyptians Abroad Conference in Cairo.
El-Wazir added that the increase was a direct result of the country's prioritizing of its industrial sector, according to a cabinet statement.
He highlighted the government's strategy focusing on the establishment of specialized industrial cities, such as the Leather City in Rubiki and the Margham Plastic Industries Complex.
These are part of a wider initiative to build 16 new industrial complexes across 15 governorates, El-Wazir clarified, adding that the plan is designed to strengthen local manufacturing, bolster supply chains, and create new jobs.
Furthermore, he highlighted other key achievements, including the allocation of over 2,000 land plots for industry and the issuance of nearly 2,000 building permits.
He noted that the government has supported over 6,000 factories, ensuring that none were forced to close, the statement added.
The minister detailed new financing initiatives and legislative reforms aimed at attracting investment. He explained that 5,773 new factories have been granted operating licenses, creating more than 230,000 jobs, and that 987 previously stalled factories have been brought back into operation.
This focus on industrial exports is part of an ambitious government plan to boost annual exports to $115.8 billion by 2030 and reduce the import bill.
According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), Egypt's total exports reached $44.846 billion in 2024, up from $42.553 billion in 2023.
Imports also increased, reaching $94.69 billion in 2024, compared to $84.22 billion in 2023, according to media reports.
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily News Egypt
an hour ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt adds automotive feeder, non-local industries to list of 28 promising sectors
Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Al-Wazir held an extensive meeting with leading car manufacturers and automotive feeder industry representatives to discuss strategies for deepening the automotive industry in Egypt. Opening the meeting, Al-Wazir noted that the gathering was part of a series of consultations with industrial sector partners, which have included a broad meeting with steel manufacturers to explore mechanisms for localising automotive sheet metal production, as well as visits to multiple factories. The aim, he said, is to align national production capabilities with the technical requirements of automotive manufacturers and enhance integration within supply chains. The meeting reviewed available capabilities and the current challenges in localising automotive components. Al-Wazir listened to the views of automotive manufacturers on their needs and priorities, which included the establishment of plastic injection moulding factories for car parts, stainless steel plants, tyre production facilities, and other feeder industries. He instructed the Ministry of Industry to begin immediately compiling a comprehensive database identifying key demands, challenges, and opportunities for localising the automotive industry, while strengthening links between car manufacturers and potential suppliers of components not currently produced locally. He further directed that these feeder industries be added to the list of 28 promising sectors eligible for additional investment incentives. The outcomes will be presented at the Reverse Exhibition during the Industry and Transport for Sustainable Development Expo in November 2025 — a platform designed to match import needs with local manufacturing capabilities, boost industrial integration, reduce imports, save foreign currency, and enhance competitiveness, particularly in the automotive sector. Al-Wazir stressed the importance of coordinating the efforts of all relevant entities to achieve the goal of localising the automotive industry. This includes cooperation with the petrochemicals sector to increase the added value of locally produced plastic injection products used in vehicles, and alignment with the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality and the Industrial Control Authority to ensure compliance with the highest technical standards. He also announced plans for field visits to automotive feeder industry producers to examine production lines, assess technical capabilities, and identify practical challenges. These visits, he said, will help devise effective solutions to support localisation plans and improve the efficiency of local supply chains. The minister emphasised that the localisation strategy is built on sustainable legislation, incentives, and implementation plans — creating a stable and attractive climate for long-term industrial investment. The strategy includes a clear, time-bound roadmap to track progress and deliver tangible results. Al-Wazir urged manufacturers to take immediate, practical steps to help meet localisation targets, noting that past experience has shown that those who took early initiative in local manufacturing achieved significant success and entered new markets. He underlined Egypt's substantial production capacity and industrial infrastructure, stressing that leveraging these strengths now would contribute meaningfully to the national economy and position Egypt as a regional hub for automotive manufacturing and components. For their part, automotive manufacturers and feeder industry producers expressed appreciation for the government's efforts to localise the industry and confirmed their readiness to cooperate in achieving industrial development goals. They acknowledged ongoing challenges in certain production stages, particularly in sourcing raw materials and components not currently produced locally, and called for maintaining incentives and streamlining procedures to enable a qualitative leap in the local industry and boost competitiveness in both regional and international markets.
Al-Ahram Weekly
4 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
UPDATED: Egypt will never allow Nile water to be touched: El-Sisi to Uganda president - Foreign Affairs
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Tuesday that Egypt will never allow its share of Nile water, which sustains 105 million Egyptians and about 10 million guests, to be touched. Speaking at a joint press conference in Cairo with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, El-Sisi underlined Egypt's complete rejection of unilateral measures in the Eastern Nile Basin, which Cairo has sought to keep as a source of cooperation, not conflict. 'Anyone who imagines that Egypt will turn a blind eye to an existential threat to its water security is mistaken… We will continue to monitor the situation and take all measures provided for under international law to safeguard our people's existential resources,' El-Sisi warned. El-Sisi's remarks were referring to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Cairo fears will drastically reduce its share of Nile waters. Egypt has previously described the Ethiopian measures on the GERD as a clear violation of international law, particularly the rules related to the fair and equitable use of international waterways and the prohibition of causing harm to neighbouring countries. A decade of negotiations between the downstream nations and Ethiopia has failed to produce an agreement balancing water security for downstream nations with Ethiopia's development targets. In December 2023, Cairo announced the end of the GERD negotiation track due to Ethiopia's persistent rejection of any proposed technical or legal solutions. In July, Egyptian Minister of Water Resources Hani Sewilam expressed the country's firm rejection of Ethiopia's repeated unilateral measures after Addis Ababa announced the completion of its multi-billion-dollar mega-dam, with plans for official inauguration in September. Between 2020 and 2024, Ethiopia unilaterally completed the dam's five-stage filling and began operating two turbines, without an agreement with its downstream nations, Egypt and Sudan. Nile Basin countries' development During the press conference, El-Sisi said that 'We agreed that water is very important, and that development is also important. Our position has been clear from the start — we have never rejected the development of our partners and brothers in the Nile Basin countries. We have no problem with that, as long as such development does not affect the amount or share of water reaching Egypt.' Quoting Museveni, El-Sisi said: 'President Museveni pointed out that the water falling on the basin — whether the Blue Nile or White Nile — amounts to 1,600 billion cubic metres annually. This water is divided between forests and swamps, agricultural use, evaporation, groundwater recharge, and only a small portion — about 85 billion cubic meters, roughly 4 percent of the total — reaches the White and Blue Nile.' 'When we demand that this amount reach Egypt and Sudan for livelihood — as we have no other source — does that mean we are rejecting development in the basin countries or their use of water for agriculture or electricity production? Of course not,' El-Sisi asserted. 'We have never talked about a fair distribution of all 1,600 billion cubic metres; we are talking only about the remaining, which doesn't exceed 4–5 percent… We do not say 'us and them' — we are all together, living, growing, and cooperating for the prosperity and stability of our countries.' El-Sisi recalled Museveni telling him that in Uganda, Egypt means "the garden." "This garden has no other water source than the Nile—we have no rain," he said. 'No one can imagine that Egypt would abandon it. Giving up any part of it would mean giving up our life—and that will never happen." Egypt's annual water needs exceed 90 billion cubic metres, while its Nile share stands at just 55.5 billion. Per capita water availability is under 500 cubic meters per year—well below the United Nations' (UN) water poverty threshold of 1,000, according to recent remarks by Egypt's foreign minister. El-Sisi expressed hope that the seven-nation committee led by Uganda would reach a consensus to ensure the benefit of all basin countries. This committee is part of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and engages with countries that have not yet ratified the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), also known as the "Entebbe Agreement.' 'Those who have rain will never feel what it is like for those who do not. The Egyptian people are extremely cautious and concerned about water, and I am responsible, along with my brothers and wise leaders like President Museveni, to find a solution that never harms the lives of Egyptians.' He warned that Egypt faces 'significant pressures' over this issue. Water may be part of a campaign to achieve other objectives, El-Sisi said, adding that 'we are fully aware of this.' 'We have always been against interfering in others' affairs, against conspiring against others, and against destruction. We are for building, cooperation, and development, as our African countries have suffered enough from years of conflict and fighting.' 'Once again, I reassure Egyptians that we will never allow the waters that sustain 105 million Egyptians and about 10 million guests to be touched. We do not call them refugees,' El-Sisi concluded. Safeguarding Nile Basin countries During the presser, President El-Sisi said he agreed with President Museveni that the Nile Basin countries must work together to preserve and develop this vital resource, achieve mutual benefit, and avoid harming any country per the rules of international law. He stated that, according to President Museveni, 'without preserving the Nile Basin environment, we will find nothing to share.' "I assured President Museveni of our full support for development efforts in Uganda and other South Nile Basin countries and our readiness to finance the Angololo Dam project between Uganda and Kenya through Egypt's investment in the Nile Basin infrastructure projects, with an initial funding of $100 million," President El-Sisi continued. The president also expressed his pleasure upon the signing of a new memorandum of understanding in the field of integrated water resources management, building on more than 20 years of cooperation between the two countries to preserve the Nile River environment and develop its resources. The total value of the agreement is $6 million over five years. "This affirms our commitment to supporting development in Uganda and other brotherly Nile Basin countries,' he stressed. El-Sisi also expressed Egypt's confidence in the constructive role Uganda is playing in leading the consultative process within the Nile Basin Initiative to restore inclusivity and consensus among basin countries to achieve mutual benefit. Egypt-Uganda cooperation The two presidents held a closed meeting on Tuesday, followed by an expanded session of talks attended by delegations from both countries. During the discussions, both sides explored ways to strengthen the historic bilateral relations between Egypt and Uganda, particularly in political, commercial, and investment fields, to serve the shared interests of the two brotherly peoples. The two presidents witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding for technical cooperation in water resources management, agricultural and food cooperation, investment, mutual visa exemptions for holders of official passports, and diplomatic cooperation to support the establishment of an Ugandan diplomatic institute. "The Egyptian-Ugandan bilateral relations have recently witnessed remarkable development, reflecting the close ties and interests between the two countries," President El-Sisi said. Moreover, El-Sisi said they discussed ways to activate economic cooperation and increase trade volumes between the two countries. 'We agreed to expedite procedures for forming a joint business council and encourage visits between business communities to contribute to mutual interests. Thus, a joint business forum will be held on the sidelines of the visit to explore available investment opportunities and begin taking practical steps,' he added. The two presidents also expressed interest in advancing cooperation opportunities in training, capacity building, combating animal diseases, and the energy sector. Additionally, they agreed to continue cooperation in the security domain, especially after the recent visit of the Ugandan People's Defence Forces commander to Egypt and the agreement to hold annual military cooperation committee meetings. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
5 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt will never allow Nile water to be touched: El-Sisi to Uganda president - Foreign Affairs
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Tuesday that Egypt will never allow its share of Nile water, which sustains 105 million Egyptians and about 10 million guests, to be touched. Speaking at a joint press conference in Cairo with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, El-Sisi underlined Egypt's complete rejection of unilateral measures in the Eastern Nile Basin, which Cairo has sought to keep as a source of cooperation, not conflict. 'Anyone who imagines that Egypt will turn a blind eye to an existential threat to its water security is mistaken… We will continue to monitor the situation and take all measures provided for under international law to safeguard our people's existential resources,' El-Sisi warned. El-Sisi's remarks were referring to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Cairo fears will drastically reduce its share of Nile waters. Egypt has previously described the Ethiopian measures on the GERD as a clear violation of international law, particularly the rules related to the fair and equitable use of international waterways and the prohibition of causing harm to neighbouring countries. A decade of negotiations between the downstream nations and Ethiopia has failed to produce an agreement balancing water security for downstream nations with Ethiopia's development targets. In December 2023, Cairo announced the end of the GERD negotiation track due to Ethiopia's persistent rejection of any proposed technical or legal solutions. In July, Egyptian Minister of Water Resources Hani Sewilam expressed the country's firm rejection of Ethiopia's repeated unilateral measures after Addis Ababa announced the completion of its multi-billion-dollar mega-dam, with plans for official inauguration in September. Between 2020 and 2024, Ethiopia unilaterally completed the dam's five-stage filling and began operating two turbines, without an agreement with its downstream nations, Egypt and Sudan. Nile Basin countries' development During the press conference, El-Sisi said that 'We agreed that water is very important, and that development is also important. Our position has been clear from the start — we have never rejected the development of our partners and brothers in the Nile Basin countries. We have no problem with that, as long as such development does not affect the amount or share of water reaching Egypt.' Quoting Museveni, El-Sisi said: 'President Museveni pointed out that the water falling on the basin — whether the Blue Nile or White Nile — amounts to 1,600 billion cubic metres annually. This water is divided between forests and swamps, agricultural use, evaporation, groundwater recharge, and only a small portion — about 85 billion cubic meters, roughly 4 percent of the total — reaches the White and Blue Nile.' 'When we demand that this amount reach Egypt and Sudan for livelihood — as we have no other source — does that mean we are rejecting development in the basin countries or their use of water for agriculture or electricity production? Of course not,' El-Sisi asserted. 'We have never talked about a fair distribution of all 1,600 billion cubic metres; we are talking only about the remaining, which doesn't exceed 4–5 percent… We do not say 'us and them' — we are all together, living, growing, and cooperating for the prosperity and stability of our countries.' El-Sisi recalled Museveni telling him that in Uganda, Egypt means "the garden." "This garden has no other water source than the Nile—we have no rain," he said. 'No one can imagine that Egypt would abandon it. Giving up any part of it would mean giving up our life—and that will never happen." Egypt's annual water needs exceed 90 billion cubic metres, while its Nile share stands at just 55.5 billion. Per capita water availability is under 500 cubic meters per year—well below the United Nations' (UN) water poverty threshold of 1,000, according to recent remarks by Egypt's foreign minister. El-Sisi expressed hope that the seven-nation committee led by Uganda would reach a consensus to ensure the benefit of all basin countries. This committee is part of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and engages with countries that have not yet ratified the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), also known as the "Entebbe Agreement.' 'Those who have rain will never feel what it is like for those who do not. The Egyptian people are extremely cautious and concerned about water, and I am responsible, along with my brothers and wise leaders like President Museveni, to find a solution that never harms the lives of Egyptians.' He warned that Egypt faces 'significant pressures' over this issue. Water may be part of a campaign to achieve other objectives, El-Sisi said, adding that 'we are fully aware of this.' 'We have always been against interfering in others' affairs, against conspiring against others, and against destruction. We are for building, cooperation, and development, as our African countries have suffered enough from years of conflict and fighting.' 'Once again, I reassure Egyptians that we will never allow the waters that sustain 105 million Egyptians and about 10 million guests to be touched. We do not call them refugees,' El-Sisi concluded. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
