Eng. Mahmoud Ghazal, Board Member of the Textile Chamber at the Federation of Egyptian Industries and Chairman of MGS Industry Group, emphasized that achieving the goal of doubling Egypt’s ready-made garment exports requires empowering local companies—especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs)—to integrate into global value chains and enhance their competitiveness in line with international standards.
Ghazal explained that the ready-made garment and textile sector is the second-largest industrial sector in Egypt, representing about 34% of the country’s industrial output. He pointed out that garment exports reached a record high of USD 2.9 billion in 2024, the highest level in the sector’s history. However, they still account for only 0.5% of the global market, which exceeds half a trillion dollars annually.
- Advertisement -
He added that one of the key challenges facing the industry is the high cost of obtaining international certifications and meeting quality and sustainability standards required by global brands and retailers. He noted that fewer than 20% of garment factories in Egypt export their products, and that just 20 major companies account for half of Egypt’s total exports in this sector.
Ghazal highlighted that most Egyptian garment exports remain concentrated in the United States (42%), followed by the European Union (24%), Turkey (8%), and the Gulf countries (10.5%). Meanwhile, Morocco’s exports amount to USD 6.5 billion, Turkey’s to USD 18 billion, and Bangladesh’s to USD 26 billion—underscoring the need to broaden Egypt’s exporter base.
As part of his forward-looking vision, Eng. Ghazal called for directing a portion of export support programs to help SMEs obtain the international certifications required to enter global supply chains, as well as for launching qualification and soft-financing programs through partnerships between the government and export councils.
He cited Adidas as an example—one of the world’s largest companies with annual revenues of around EUR 23 billion in 2024—explaining that only three companies operate within its supply chain. Encouraging and integrating Egyptian SMEs into such global value chains, he said, would enhance their performance and boost their exports, positively impacting Egypt’s overall export performance and contributing to the national goal of achieving USD 150 billion in merchandise exports over the coming years.
Ghazal also stressed the importance of adopting recycled fabrics to align with global sustainability trends, increasing the number of specialized trade fairs both locally and internationally, and strengthening the role of Egypt’s commercial representation offices in promoting Egyptian products abroad. He further emphasized the need for export councils to play a more active role in building international marketing and trade partnerships.
He concluded by stating that every 1% increase in Egypt’s participation in global value chains translates into a proportional rise in per capita income, exports, and foreign direct investment. He affirmed that the path to doubling Egypt’s ready-made garment exports lies in qualification, sustainability, and regional integration—key steps toward securing Egypt’s rightful place on the global market map.
التعليقات مغلقة.