Egypt is setting ambitious goals for its construction materials sector, with the government pledging full support for the marble and granite industry. Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem announced an ambitious plan aiming to raise sector exports to $1 billion annually, emphasizing the strategic importance of the industry for the country’s economy.
State-Industry Cooperation
In a recent meeting with Mohamed El-Sewedy, Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Industries, market challenges and strategies to address them were thoroughly discussed. The shared goal is to double exports through a comprehensive action plan combining growth, innovation, and efficient resource management.
Pillars of the Development Strategy
The Ministry’s plan focuses on four main pillars:
- Maximizing Raw Materials: Optimizing the use of available natural resources for higher output.
- Expanding Research: Strengthening exploration activities to locate new deposits.
- Regulatory Framework: Modernizing regulations to ensure discipline and higher added value.
- Competitiveness: Implementing mechanisms that make Egyptian materials more attractive in international markets.
Infrastructure and Oversight
The government is taking concrete measures to improve production and enhance monitoring systems:
- New Weighbridges: Construction of 18 new weighbridges to ensure proper resource management.
- Facilitating Operations: In cooperation with the National Service Projects Organization and the Egyptian Company for Mining and Quarry Management, procedures for quarry owners and prospectors are being simplified.
“Increasing the number of active quarries by the end of 2026 is a key objective for us,” Khaled Hashem emphasized, adding that this move will boost production, reduce imports, and propel Egypt’s exports.
By the end of 2026, Egypt aims to position the marble and granite sector as one of the key pillars of foreign currency inflows. Increasing production will not only meet domestic demand but also establish the country as a leading international supplier of high-quality natural stone.
Source: www.zawya.com
