Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem stressed the ministry’s commitment to supporting and developing the medical industries sector, describing it as one of the most important strategic sectors.
He stressed the importance of expanding and deepening the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in a way that would help transform Egypt into a regional hub for manufacturing and exporting these materials to regional markets.
This came during an expanded meeting on Tuesday with Gamal el-Leithy, Chairman of the Chamber of Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics and Medical Supplies Industries at the Federation of Egyptian Industries, along with chamber members and representatives of the Export Council for Medical Industries.
Discussions during the meeting focused on key challenges and requirements of the sector, as well as plans to boost its exports in the coming phase.
The minister explained that the medical industries sector includes pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices, nutritional supplements, and veterinary industries. He noted that it is a priority sector within the state’s industrial strategy due to its strong potential to support the national economy and increase exports.
The meeting reviewed several demands from the chamber, including supporting pharmaceutical factories in obtaining European quality certifications to facilitate the entry of Egyptian products into Gulf and global markets, upgrading existing factories, transferring modern technologies, and easing companies’ access to international financing.
Other requests included simplifying the issuance of local content certificates from the Industrial Development Authority and strengthening the link between scientific research and industry.
Hashem directed coordination with the Egyptian Drug Authority and the National Accreditation Council, considered the ministry’s executive arm for accrediting certificates, laboratories, and testing, to provide technical support to pharmaceutical companies and assist them in obtaining certifications recognised by European accreditation bodies.
He added that the ministry will continue holding regular executive meetings with industrial chambers to follow up on companies’ needs and address the challenges they face.
He emphasised that the chambers’ demands will be discussed with the relevant authorities connected to each industrial sector.
For his part, Gamal el-Leithy, Chairman of the Chamber of Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics and Medical Supplies Industries, stated that the pharmaceutical industry is one of the most promising sectors capable of achieving a significant leap in Egyptian exports to regional markets.
He stressed the importance of coordinating with the chamber and consulting it before issuing any decisions affecting the sector, in line with the advisory role granted to industrial chambers under the Federation of Egyptian Industries law.
