Egypt’s Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem has held a high-level meeting to discuss mechanisms to boost marble and granite exports and address challenges facing quarry operators.
He affirmed the government’s strong commitment to the sector, describing marble and granite as a priority industry with the potential to generate $1bn annually in exports.
The meeting brought together representatives from the Federation of Egyptian Industries, the National Service Projects Organization, the Egyptian Company for Mining and Quarry Management, and the Industrial Development Authority, alongside investors and manufacturers operating in the sector.
Discussions focused on maximising the utilisation of Egypt’s abundant raw materials, expanding exploration activities, and upgrading regulatory frameworks to enhance governance and operational discipline across the industry. Officials also reviewed strategies to strengthen the global competitiveness of Egyptian marble and granite by aligning production capabilities with export market requirements.
The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts by the Egyptian Company for Mining to streamline operations for quarry owners and explorers, alongside the introduction of stricter regulatory measures to ensure transparency. Among the key initiatives is the installation of weighing systems at quarry exits to prevent manipulation and accurately track extracted volumes, with authorities currently establishing 18 new weighbridges as part of this effort.
Hashem noted that recent efforts have included direct engagement with manufacturers in the Shaq El-Thoaban industrial zone, as well as steps to legalise unlicensed operations in coordination with Cairo Governorate, with licensing procedures facilitated through the Industrial Development Authority.
The minister emphasised that boosting exports will require removing operational bottlenecks, improving the business environment for quarry operators, and enhancing productivity and product diversification.
To support these efforts, the ministry plans to establish an advisory committee comprising representatives from relevant ministries, government entities, and the Federation of Egyptian Industries, tasked with providing technical and strategic support to the mining sector.
Hashem added that Egypt aims to significantly increase the number of operational quarries by the end of 2026, calling for stronger collaboration between government bodies, local and international investors, and industry stakeholders to expand exploration activities and geographic coverage.
The move is expected to enhance production capacity, strengthen export performance, and reduce reliance on imports, reinforcing Egypt’s position as a competitive player in the global marble and granite market.
