Egypt's Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem held his first expanded meeting with the Board of Directors of the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI), chaired by Mohamed El Sewedy, alongside heads of industrial chambers, to deepen engagement with manufacturers and address production challenges. The minister outlined a structured approach involving regular meetings and factory visits. He also announced sustainable financing mechanisms and the concept of 'productive villages' to support economic growth.
In a move to strengthen ties between the government and the industrial sector, Egypt's Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem held his first expanded meeting with the Board of Directors of the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI), chaired by Mohamed El Sewedy, on March 3, 2026. The gathering included Nahed Youssef, Chairperson of the Industrial Development Authority, heads of industrial chambers, and senior ministry officials.
Hashem stated that the upcoming phase would adopt a structured approach, featuring regular coordination meetings with the federation and dedicated sessions with each industrial chamber. He added that communication would go beyond formal talks to include on-site visits to factories in various industrial zones, allowing direct assessment of challenges and input from manufacturers. The aim, he emphasized, is to make quick, practical decisions that meet sector needs and encourage investment.
The minister disclosed that the ministry is reviewing its industrial development strategy, with the FEI as a key partner. The updated strategy will be shared with federation members for feedback to align with manufacturers' goals and market changes. Hashem highlighted the need to align roles between the ministry and the federation to drive Egypt's industrial renaissance, committing to support local producers, boost product competitiveness, and coordinate on global impacts to reduce risks.
On financing, Hashem announced plans for specialized industrial investment funds to provide sustainable funding for projects, enhancing the financial sector's role in directing capital to viable ventures, expanding production, and fostering steady economic growth. The forthcoming strategy also includes 'productive villages,' utilizing each governorate's strengths to generate local jobs and reduce irregular migration to the capital.
El Sewedy affirmed the federation's willingness to collaborate on national industrial goals. He noted that the FEI, encompassing 21 industrial chambers, continues tackling sector issues, advocating for manufacturers, and promoting sustainable economic and social progress.
Discussions addressed various concerns, such as industrial zone challenges, labor law implementation, technical education and skilled labor availability, export risk guarantees for African markets, barriers to modern technology adoption, international accreditation for food testing labs, exclusion of some sectors from state financing, regularization of factories in residential areas, and support for handicrafts and heritage industries.
The meeting ended with an agreement to explore a joint digital platform between the ministry and the federation for data sharing, improved communication, and more efficient industrial services.