Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea has met with a number of leather producers and exporters to review ways of upgrading Egypt’s leather industry.
The discussions also reviewed methods of raising the added value of Egyptian products, and providing the local market’s needs in leather products.
Gamea said that Egypt’s leather industry and tanning sector is one of the most important productive sectors in the national economy. She added that Egypt has the capabilities, expertise and a long history in this field, and that the country’s political leadership is confident in the local business community and manufacturers capabilities.
The minister said that it remains important to achieve further cooperation in the leather production sector, notably in tanning and manufacturing. The improved cooperation will see investment projects established that achieve integration among value chains in the Egyptian leather industry.
This targets the local production of high-quality products capable of competing in the local and foreign markets, and which contributes to making Egypt a strategic international centre for the leather industry.
Gamea said that the government is keen on providing high quality leather products to the local market at prices suitable for low-income citizens. She added that the government supports this important sector and its willingness to bring in international expertise for its development.
The minister also said that it is important to maximise the benefits of local raw leather production, rather than exporting it in its initial form. This is especially in light of the ministry’s tendency to increase the added value of the final product and export finished products.
Gamea said that the leather production facilities in the Rubiky Industrial Complex, located in 10th of Ramadan City, has contributed to a major shift in Egypt’s tanning and leather processing capabilities.
For their part, the participants in the meeting said they are keen to develop Egypt’s leather and tanning industries. This is particularly as the country possesses the necessary ingredients to establish a real leather industry and produce products of a high quality.
They added that efforts have been made to produce leather goods that meet the needs of local market prices, a trend that has been supported by the Minister of Trade and Industry.
The meeting was attended by several high level officials, including: Assistant Minister for Foreign Trade, Agreements and International Relations Tarek Shalaby; President of the Cairo Investment and Urban Development Company Mahmoud Mahrez; Chairperson of the Export Council for Leather Industry and Tanning Mahmoud Serg; Chairperson of the Leather Industry Chamber Gamal El Samalouty; and Head of the Leather Tanning Chamber Mohamed Harby.
