Egypt is upgrading its upstream textile industry aiming to support the country’s upstream manufacturers’ competitiveness in global markets. The restructuring program aims at restoring Egypt’s prominent position in the world market and capitalising on the globally renowned fine Egyptian cotton fiber. The program includes: modernisation of spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, finishing, printing and confection, based on a product line definition which brings forth added value to Egyptian cotton, from cotton farming to readymade goods with world class levels in terms of quality and efficiency. The total value of the program includes around 7,80,000 new spindles and 1,250 new looms, dyeing, printing and finishing machinery and state-of-the-art cutting and sewing equipment.

The investments will stimulate the dynamism for upgrading technology in the entire industry and ensure a continual increase in productivity as well as technical and management skills, to maximise value creation within the Egyptian textile value chain. It will affect Egypt’s vertical integration and competitiveness.

Egypt’s upstream textile industry is trying to become a major regional sourcing hub in the Mediterranean region. Egypt’s textile and clothing sector is the most integrated on the African continent. The apparel sector is the country’s most important industrial sector.