Egypt has inaugurated Spectrum Diagnostic Industries’ manufacturing facility, the first integrated plant in Egypt and the Arab world dedicated to the production of rapid diagnostic tests (Rapid Tests), in a move aimed at strengthening domestic medical manufacturing, reducing imports, and expanding exports.
Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem attended the inauguration of the company’s production facility in the Ismailia Public Free Zone, alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid, Ismailia Governor Nabil Hasaballah, Chairperson of the Egyptian Drug Authority Ali El Ghamrawy, and other government officials.
Hashem said the factory represents a strategic step toward localising the production of rapid diagnostic tests used to detect infectious diseases and epidemics, conduct drug screening, and identify cancer biomarkers.
He added that the project supports Egypt’s efforts to strengthen healthcare security while positioning the country as a regional hub for medical and diagnostic manufacturing by leveraging its strategic location, industrial infrastructure, and extensive network of trade agreements.
According to the minister, local production is expected to reduce reliance on imported diagnostic tests, generating annual import savings of around $30m, while creating opportunities to increase exports of higher-value medical products.
Hashem said the project reflects growing confidence in the capabilities of Egyptian manufacturers to produce advanced medical products that meet international quality standards.
He also highlighted the importance of coordination among the Ministries of Industry, Health and Population, and Investment and Foreign Trade, together with the Egyptian Drug Authority and the private sector, to strengthen Egypt’s pharmaceutical and medical industries.
The minister noted that industrial development remains a key pillar of Egypt’s economic growth strategy, adding that pharmaceuticals have been identified as one of seven priority industries under the country’s updated industrial strategy.
He said the strategy focuses on improving product quality, increasing local content, promoting technological modernisation, attracting industrial investments based on technology transfer, and integrating Egyptian industries into global value chains.
Hashem added that the Ministry of Industry continues to implement measures aimed at improving the investment climate through streamlined procedures, expanded industrial services, the provision of serviced industrial land, and support for expanding production capacity and technological capabilities.
Following the inauguration ceremony, the ministers toured the new rapid diagnostic test production line and reviewed the advanced manufacturing technologies used at the facility.
