Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid and Minister of Industry Khaled Hashim witnessed on Saturday the signing of a co-operation agreement between the Industrial Modernisation Centre (IMC) and the Export Development Fund (EDF) to implement a comprehensive programme supporting industrial companies in obtaining quality, conformity, sustainability, and environmental compliance certifications.
The initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian exports and expand their access to international markets. The signing ceremony also included three additional agreements between the IMC and Hassan Allam Holding, the National Egyptian Railway Industries Company (NERIC), and EL Sewedy Industrial Development.
The programme forms part of the government’s efforts to link export support schemes to internationally recognised quality and accreditation standards, helping Egyptian products gain greater access to foreign markets and strengthening the country’s export performance.
Under the agreement, the Export Development Fund will provide LE557 million in financing for the programme and identify the targeted sectors and support mechanisms, while the IMC will oversee its management and implementation.
The programme is expected to benefit around 200 industrial enterprises across seven key export sectors, including medical and pharmaceutical industries, engineering products, chemicals, textiles and spinning, ready-made garments, food processing, and home furnishings.
Exports from participating companies are projected to increase by 20 to 25 per cent as a result of improved quality standards and compliance with international requirements, enhancing the ability of Egyptian products to compete in global markets.
The one-year programme will operate through a direct reimbursement mechanism for certification costs administered by the IMC. Financial support will cover between 30 and 60 per cent of certification expenses, with beneficiary companies classified according to annual export volumes to ensure effective targeting of assistance. Small and medium-sized enterprises with annual exports below $1 million will receive preferential treatment and higher support rates than larger exporters.
