Egypt’s Ministry of Industry has unveiled plans to strengthen handicrafts and heritage industries, aiming to boost their competitiveness abroad and preserve their cultural identity.
Minister of Industry Eng. Khaled Hashem met with the Federation of Egyptian Industries and the Chamber of Handicrafts to discuss expanding artisan support, improving training, and enhancing access to international exhibitions. The talks addressed challenges such as limited production inputs, high customs duties, licensing difficulties, and a shortage of qualified trainers.
Hashem emphasized the ministry’s commitment to developing heritage clusters across Egypt’s governorates, providing technical assistance, and raising training standards by exposing artisans to global design trends. He highlighted opportunities for the chamber to benefit from the “Productive Villages” initiative under the presidential Decent Life program, which supports small workshops and links them to larger supply chains.
The minister directed the chamber to submit a detailed report on production needs, licensing obstacles, and desired exhibition venues to coordinate with relevant authorities.
Federation President Eng. Mohamed El‑Sewedy stressed that handicrafts employ large numbers of Egyptians, especially in rural areas, and often rely on recycled materials. He noted that Egyptian heritage products can compete strongly with imports, reinforcing their position in international markets.
