Egypt’s Export Development Fund (EDF) and the Engineering Export Council of Egypt (EECE) have discussed plans to modernise the country’s export support system to enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian industry and accelerate export growth, in line with the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade’s strategy.
The meeting brought together Hatem El-Nawawy, Chief Executive Officer of the Export Development Fund, and Sherif El-Sayyad, Chairperson of the Engineering Export Council of Egypt, to review mechanisms for supporting engineering exports, improving exporters’ readiness for international markets, and maximising the benefits of Egypt’s trade agreements.
El-Nawawy said developing the export support system is a key pillar of the ministry’s strategy to boost Egyptian exports, noting that the fund is working to introduce more flexible and efficient support programmes tailored to the needs of different productive sectors.
He said the new approach extends beyond financial incentives to focus on building companies’ export capabilities, improving compliance with international market requirements, and strengthening their competitiveness to achieve sustainable export growth.
El-Nawawy added that the fund has launched a series of consultations with export councils representing various sectors to identify industry-specific needs, expand the number of companies benefiting from its services, and design customised support programmes.
He noted that the next phase will prioritise helping companies meet international market requirements while accelerating the fund’s digital transformation through the automation of procedures to simplify processes, improve operational efficiency, and speed up service delivery.
The discussions also covered increasing the participation of Egyptian companies in global supply chains, promoting the localisation of high-value-added feeder industries, and expanding into promising export markets.
Both sides highlighted the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Mercosur trade agreement to diversify export destinations, reduce reliance on traditional markets, and strengthen Egypt’s global trade presence.
For his part, El-Sayyad said the Engineering Export Council aims to double Egypt’s engineering exports from $6.5bn in 2025 to $13bn by 2030, supporting the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade’s broader objective of increasing the country’s total exports to $100bn by 2030.
He said achieving this target will require expanding into African and South American markets, integrating more Egyptian companies into global supply chains, deepening local manufacturing, and increasing the value-added content of engineering products.
The two sides agreed to continue coordinating on joint programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting exporters, expanding Egypt’s exporter base, enhancing the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers, and strengthening the country’s position as a regional industrial and export hub.
