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The National
25-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Egyptian village remains tied to tradition of carpet weaving as industry frays
In the small village of Saqiyat Abu Sharah, in the Menoufia province of Egypt, the rhythmic clatter of looms once defined daily life. Known for its intricate handmade carpets, the village was a hub of artistry, its rugs coveted around the world. But today that work has slowed, replaced by the hum of machines and the whispers of an uncertain future. Atef Salah Abdel Razek, 42, owns one of the few remaining factories for handmade-carpet in Saqiyat Abu Sharah. The village, he recalls, was once synonymous with exquisite silk carpets. 'Ten or 15 years ago, every carpet produced here was made of pure silk,' Mr Abdel Razek says. 'Now, due to economic changes, particularly the currency devaluations, we've had to turn to alternative materials like cotton and synthetic blends.' Egypt, alongside Iran and Turkey, has long been a major player in the global handmade carpet market. But a series of economic upheavals, including the devaluation of the Egyptian pound, has profoundly altered the industry. Since 2016, when Egypt floated its currency as part of a deal with the International Monetary Fund, the pound has plummeted through five separate devaluations, the latest in 2024. The cost of raw materials has rocketed, pricing out many craftsmen and buyers. Pure silk, once the hallmark of carpets from Saqiyat Abu Sharah, is now a rare luxury, Mr Abdel Razek explains. 'A square metre of pure animal-fibre carpet today can cost up to 30,000 Egyptian pounds [$600],' he says. In contrast, synthetic alternatives cost as little as 180 pounds a metre. In 2010, a square metre of a high-quality handmade rug was sold for 2,000 Egyptian pounds. That was about $500 given the exchange rate at the time. 'The kind of customer we need is someone who values things in US dollars,' he says. 'For them, 5,000 Egyptian pounds is $100, so it doesn't feel as expensive.' This pricing disparity has shifted the industry's focus. Mr Abdel Razek says that up to 90 per cent of the village's carpets are now exported to international markets, where customers can afford such luxuries. The remaining 10 per cent are sold locally, primarily to wealthier Egyptians or tourists, at bazaars in cities such as Cairo, Luxor and Sharm El Sheikh. Mr Abdel Razek's factory, like many in the village, relies heavily on international exhibitions to showcase its wares. 'The state organises regular fairs and so does the private sector,' he adds. 'These channels are essential for us. Selling directly to international buyers is rare.' But even as exports sustain the industry, the craft is in decline. In the 1970s and 1980s, Saqiyat Abu Sharah thrived as a hub for handmade carpets, a legacy that dates back centuries. The origins o the craft in Egypt can be traced to pharaonic times, with evidence of weaving techniques evolving under the Fatimid dynasty, from 969 to 1171, when silk was introduced as a primary material. During the Mamluk period, from 1250 to 1517, complex geometric patterns elevated Egyptian carpets to works of art, a tradition that persisted through Ottoman rule, which brought its own augmentations. By the mid-20th century, Egypt's post-revolutionary government, under Gamal Abdel Nasser, sought to revive and industrialise traditional crafts, turning villages such as Saqiyat Abu Sharah into production centres. But today, that legacy is fraying. Rashed Areeda, 49, has been weaving carpets since he was six years old. 'It is a laborious craft and it has worsened my eyesight over the years,' he says. 'But I love it. It is an art form and an important heritage.' In Mr Areeda's youth, nearly every household in the village had someone trained in carpet weaving. 'When I was growing up, there was a palpable sense of community,' he recalls. 'Workshops were everywhere and the craft was our main source of income.' But today rising costs and dwindling demand have driven many craftsmen out of the industry. 'In order to make money, you have to be taught as a child,' Mr Abdel Razek says. 'When you're young and dependent on your parents, you learn. Then, as an adult, you are proficient enough to earn.' But with the craft no longer considered a viable career, many young people in the village are turning to other jobs, moving to cities to work as security guards, cleaners and labourers. Mr Abdel Razek has cut his factory's operations in half because of a lack of skilled workers. For those who remain, it is not a lucrative job. 'Day workers' wages haven't increased nearly enough to offset their rising cost of living,' he admits. But the village's carpets remain highly regarded abroad, a testament to their quality and craftsmanship. In 2023, Egypt 's handmade carpet exports accounted for more than 6 per cent of the global total, with sales reaching $360 million, the Observatory of Economic Complexity has said. Turkey led global exports that year, contributing 41 per cent, followed by India and China. Iran, once the uncontested leader in handmade rugs, has seen its industry falter under international sanctions, accounting for 0.3 per cent of global exports in 2023. This has given Egypt an opportunity to capture a larger share of the market, Mr Abdel Razek says. But the future of the craft remains uncertain. Today, carpets are often made using synthetic fibres, which are cheaper but lack the richness of natural silk or wool. This shift has also affected design trends. Until 2020, many of the village's weavers copied classical Iranian styles, such as those of Isfahan or Kashan. But with the advent of social media, modern designs now dominate the industry. 'The upside of modern designs is that they don't follow specific rules,' Mr Abdel Razek says. 'There's less symmetry and more chaos is acceptable, which makes them less tiring for workers. There really isn't a wrong way to do them.' Still, the industry faces stiff competition from machine-made rugs, which cost far less. 'It is understandable that a customer would buy a machine-made carpet that costs a fraction of the price,' Mr Abdel Razek says. 'After all, what we're selling is first and foremost a luxury item.' This is why many producers, including Mr Abdel Razek, have begun selling machine-made carpets alongside handmade designs. But he remains committed to preserving the traditional craft. 'It is undoubtedly an art form,' he says. 'Matching colours, creating intricate details – it requires the same skills as oil painting.' For Mr Areeda, the craft is a livelihood and a passion, but he acknowledges its challenges. 'The hardest part of this job is selling the carpets,' he says. 'You're at the mercy of the market and demand can drop suddenly and you could be left with unsold wares for months on end, or are forced to sell them cheap.' As Saqiyat Abu Sharah faces these challenges, its future seems tied to its ability to adapt. For now, its carpets remain a symbol of a heritage that spans millennia, a tradition that its craftsmen hope will endure, even amid the relentless hum of modern machines.
Zawya
18-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egyptian government grants golden licenses for 3 strategic projects
Arab Finance: The Cabinet has granted the golden license to three projects, established by private companies, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced during the Cabinet's weekly meeting. The first project is by Kingdom Linen Company. It will build and operate a linen spinning and textile factory on an area of approximately 51,900 square meters in Sadat City, Menoufia. With an investment cost of approximately $58 million, the project is scheduled for completion on January 1 st, 2027. It will employ 500 workers. The company aims to achieve a local component ratio of no less than 30% in its products within a maximum period of three years from the beginning of operations. The factory will produce around 3,800 tons of linen annually in various grades, exporting inot less than 100% of ts output to the foreign market. Kingdom Linen Group owns five linen spinning mills worldwide, serving customers in 27 countries. These mills provided 4,000 job opportunities, while the total global assets hit nearly $400 million. Through its various branches, the group produces approximately 22,000 tons of wet-spun linen, accounting for a 15% share of the global linen market. Moreover, Al Amir Group also obtained a golden license to establish a factory on an area of 37,660 square meters in the developers zone of Sadat City. The venture will include a factory for preparing, packaging, and processing vegetables and fruits, another for producing and packaging tomato paste, and a third facility for drying and cooling produce. It is expected to begin operating in October 2027 and will provide 400 new job opportunities. The project aims to export more than 70% of its production, thereby reducing imports and localizing the industry. It will rely on 80%-90% of Egyptian agricultural products. The project will also transfer modern and advanced technology and techniques from leading international companies in the food industry to Egypt. Finally, Masdar IPH Wind Energy LLC secured a golden license for its 200 megawatt (MW) wind energy project, covering an area of 37.3 square kilometers in the Gulf of Suez region, Red Sea. In line with the environmental sustainability goals, the project is developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the climate. It will generate 200 megawatts of wind energy, expanding the national electricity grid by contributing to the provision of 175 million cubic meters of natural gas annually. Expected to commence operating by the end of May 2027, the labor-intensive project will create 2,000 jobs during the construction and operation phases. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The National
08-07-2025
- The National
Egyptian lorry driver sentenced to 15 years over crash that killed 19
An Egyptian court on Tuesday sentenced a lorry driver to 15 years in prison for his involvement in a collision on the Regional Ring Road in Menoufia province that killed 19 people, including 18 teenage girls. The owner of the lorry was handed a six-year sentence over the accident, which has drawn attention to road safety and infrastructure problems in Egypt. The crash occurred on June 26 when the lorry crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a microbus carrying workers home from a grape farm. Three others were injured. Investigations revealed that the driver was under the influence of drugs and did not have a valid driver's licence. The Menoufia Criminal Court delivered its verdict amid emotional scenes on Tuesday, with families of the victims filling the courtroom. They were seen loudly demanding justice in videos from the trial. The crash took place on a stretch of the Regional Ring Road that has been under repair since 2020, forcing two-way traffic into a single narrow lane without proper safety dividers. The lorry driver told investigators he lost control of the vehicle while attempting to avoid debris on the road. Toxicology reports indicated he was under the influence of hashish and methamphetamine. The driver was charged with reckless endangerment and causing multiple deaths, while the lorry's owner was convicted of allowing him to operate the vehicle without a valid licence. Both sentences can be appealed. The crash has reignited debate over road safety in Egypt, where accidents are often attributed to a combination of poor infrastructure, inadequate maintenance and driver behaviour. The Regional Ring Road, completed in 2018, has become notorious for accidents, earning the nickname 'The Road of Death'. It was the site of another accident on Saturday in which nine were killed. Critics argue that the continuing repair work, which began two years after the road's completion, has created unsafe driving conditions. Official statistics show the road has been the site of more than 300 accidents since mid-2022. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi ordered the immediate closure of hazardous sections of the road following the June 26 crash and directed authorities to expedite repairs and improve traffic enforcement. Measures include stricter penalties for violations and random drug testing for drivers. The Interior Ministry has announced multiple rounds of arrests following Mr El Sisi's directive for tighter measures. However, lorry drivers have expressed concern that they are being blamed for accidents caused by broader issues. The tragedy has resonated deeply in the small town of Menouf, where the victims were buried in a joint funeral attended by hundreds. Videos of grieving families confronting local officials went viral, reflecting widespread frustration with the perceived neglect of road safety. The Ministry of Transport has pledged to complete repairs on the Regional Ring Road by 2026, with a budget of 50 billion Egyptian pounds ($1.6 billion). Still, public anger remains fierce, with many calling for accountability beyond individual drivers.
The National
05-07-2025
- The National
Nine killed in crash on Egypt's 'Road of Death' as El Sisi orders dangerous sections shut
Nine people died and 11 more were injured on Saturday when two minibuses filled with passengers collided head-on in Egypt 's Menoufia province. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi immediately ordered the closure of the Regional Ring Road, where the accident took place, and which some have nicknamed the "Road of Death" due to the high number of fatal incidents it witnesses. A spike in crashes began after a repair project effectively closed one lane of traffic, according to state statistics. The project forced two-way traffic into a single lane without adequate dividers, drivers who use the road regularly told The National. Saturday's crash occurred on the long stretch of the road currently under repair, which makes up around 110 kilometres of its total 365 kilometres. The Egyptian Health Ministry confirmed the casualties and said the injured were transported to Al Bagour Specialised Hospital. Officials visited the hospital to oversee the response and 18 ambulances were deployed to the scene, the ministry said. Mr El Sisi responded by ordering the temporary closure of all parts of the Regional Ring Road currently undergoing maintenance. He directed authorities to implement safe detours and fast-track repairs to prevent further incidents. He also instructed the Interior Ministry to intensify enforcement of traffic laws, including crackdowns on speeding and overloaded vehicles, calling for firmer legal action against violators. Saturday's crash follows a similar tragedy on June 26 in Menoufia, when 19 people, including 18 teenage girls travelling in a minibus, were killed after a lorry crossed into oncoming traffic and crushed their vehicle. That accident, also on the Regional Ring Road, sparked national outrage over the road's safety and the handling of infrastructure projects. Lorry drivers, who have come under increased scrutiny after the June 26 crash, say they are being unfairly blamed for accidents caused by poor road conditions. Several drivers fear new regulations, including random drug testing and stricter licensing requirements, will disproportionately punish them while failing to address systemic issues. The Regional Ring Road, completed in 2018 at a cost of billions of pounds, was intended to improve connectivity across Egypt. Instead, it has become infamous for frequent accidents, earning its grim nickname.
The National
02-07-2025
- The National
Egypt's lorry drivers fear scapegoating after road accident that killed 19
Lorry drivers across Egypt are bracing themselves for a wave of new regulations and surprise drug tests following the deaths of 18 teenage girls in an accident last week that put the spotlight on the high rate of road accidents in the country. While officials often point to narcotics use among drivers as a major factor, the drivers argue that they are being unfairly blamed for a crisis caused by poor road conditions, economic pressures and systemic neglect. 'We're the ones who get the backlash every time something happens,' said Islam Awad, 39, a lorry driver who has been navigating Egypt's highways for more than a decade. 'But accidents will continue until the roads are fixed, no matter how many drug tests they run.' The accident, which occurred near Ashmoun in Menoufia province on Friday, has sparked a national conversation about road safety and accountability. A lorry coming from the opposite direction crossed the central divider and slammed into a microbus carrying 21 female workers home from grape farms, a daily commute for the group. Eighteen of the passengers and the driver were killed. The lorry driver, who turned himself in to authorities out of fear of reprisals from the victims' families, said he lost control of his vehicle while attempting to avoid a rock in the middle of the road. The driver explained during questioning that the rock was impossible to see in time due to the narrow lanes and poor road conditions. 'I wasn't speeding, and I wasn't reckless,' he told investigators. 'I was only driving 50kph, but the steering slipped out of my control. I didn't mean for this to happen. My heart aches for the victims – I have daughters their age.' Officials said tests showed he was under the influence of illegal drugs. The tragedy took place on the Regional Ring Road, a 365km motorway connecting Cairo to five provinces – Giza, Fayoum, Menoufia, Sharqia, and Qalyubia. A 110km stretch of the road has been under repair since 2020, with one lane closed entirely, forcing two-way traffic into a single, poorly divided lane shared by lorries, buses, cars and microbuses. This is where the accident happened. The Ministry of Transport has defended the repairs, saying that the asphalt road is being replaced with concrete to better withstand heavy traffic and Egypt's high temperatures. However, the project has faced criticism for its slow pace and dangerous detours. Drivers like Mr Awad, who navigate the road daily, describe it as a 'death trap'. If you hit a broken part of the road or even something as small as a rock, you need several metres to recover, which you don't have. That's why this road is so deadly Islam Awad, lorry driver 'Lorry drivers are forced to drive these narrow lanes, and there is very little room to manoeuvre,' he said. 'Lorries are huge, and you're often carrying loads of up to 10 tonnes. If you hit a broken part of the road or even something as small as a rock, you need several metres to recover, which you don't have. That's why this road is so deadly.' The accident has reignited public anger over the quality of roads in Egypt after the government under President Abdel Fattah El Sisi spent billions of dollars on the national network. Social media users flooded platforms with demands for accountability, questioning why the ring road, completed in 2018 after a decade of construction, required such intense repairs just two years later. This anger is particularly palpable in Menoufia, where several residents told The National that their warnings about the road's dangers had been ignored for years. They said they had filed repeated complaints to the government about the number of accidents taking place on the road as a result of the repairs, to no avail. 'The only reason the government is causing such an uproar about the accident is because it is particularly tragic. Eighteen young girls and all from the same town, that is terrible. But many accidents, such as one that took place just last night near Mansoura, go ignored by the government,' said a Menoufia resident who asked to remain anonymous. Families of the victims refused to allow the governor of Menoufia to attend the joint funeral for the 18 girls held in the city of Menouf. Videos of the families turning their backs to the governor and shouting at him to leave were widely circulated. The Minister of Transport, Kamel El Wazir, visited the accident site on Sunday and promised that the ring road would be fully repaired in a project costing 50 billion Egyptian pounds ($1 billion). However, Mr El Wazir did not address the question of why such extensive repairs were needed so soon after the road's completion, a question that has fuelled public frustration and scepticism. Lorry drivers say they are being targeted unfairly by the government's decision to introduce random drug tests, among of measures to improve road safety. Both drivers interviewed for this article agreed that narcotics use is common among drivers, but they insisted that it is often a necessity rather than a choice. 'Everyone driving on roads all over the country is high – lorry drivers and sons of pashas alike,' said Abdo Ibrahim, 48. 'But the focus of this accident shouldn't be drugs. The focus should be the Regional Ring Road and how unsafe it is. Accidents happen all over the country, but I have never seen a road this deadly in my life.' Mr Ibrahim said the physical demands of driving long distances with little rest often push drivers to rely on narcotics like tramadol to stay awake and cope with the pain. 'It's not just about getting high,' he said. 'It's about surviving the trip.' Drug testing and another new measure, background checks of lorry drivers, will disproportionately harm them without addressing the root causes of road accidents, they say. 'Life has gotten so expensive lately, and for many of us, this is the only job we can do,' Mr Ibrahim said. 'Now they're going to make it even harder for us to survive.' Lorry drivers are typically on the top rung of their career ladder, having obtained first-degree licences after years of experience. The process requires six years of professional driving, with drivers working their way up from smaller vehicles. 'The job isn't easy, and most of us are experienced,' Mr Awad explained. 'But no one listens to drivers when we say the roads are unsafe. This accident happened because of the road repairs, not the driver. The whole stretch from Cairo to Menoufia is under repair – it's irrational.' He said it might have been more efficient to repair the road stretch by stretch to minimise the parts of it that are unsafe. The Regional Ring Road has earned its grim nickname – 'The Road of Death' – for good reason. According to state statistics, there have been 304 recorded accidents on the Regional Ring Road since mid-2022, resulting in 239 deaths. The number of accidents has been increasing steadily, with 114 reported in 2024, compared to 76 accidents in 2023. There have already been 67 accidents this year.
