Egypt has launched two integrated textile cities in Minya and Faiyum with a combined investment exceeding 27 billion Egyptian pounds, aiming to boost exports, create up to 400,000 jobs, and transform Upper Egypt into a regional textile hub. Minister for Industry Kamel El-Wazir unveiled the plan during a press conference, highlighting the government's strategy to scale up textile exports from $2.8 billion to $11.5 billion within 5 years. The initiative targets both economic growth and employment, particularly among youth, and builds on Egypt's competitive advantages in the sector, including abundant raw materials, skilled labour, access to ports, and preferential trade agreements. Minya city to revive traditional textile industries The first textile city, to be built in Wadi Al-Saririya in Minya, will span 5.5 million square metres and attract up to 12 billion Egyptian pounds in investments. It is expected to generate $1.5 billion in direct investment and create 250,000 direct and indirect job opportunities. The city will revitalise Minya's traditional textile industries and benefit from its proximity to strategic roadways and seaports such as Ain Sokhna, Safaga, and Dekheila. Strategic location drives investment in Fayoum The second city, located in northern Faiyum, will also cover 5.5 million square metres and is projected to attract over 15 billion Egyptian pounds in investments, generating 150,000 direct and indirect jobs. Its location near major transport networks—including the Regional Ring Road, high-speed rail, and New October City dry port—makes it highly appealing for investors. It is likewise projected to attract $1.5 billion in direct investment. Private sector partnerships to drive implementation El-Wazir confirmed that both cities will be developed under the industrial developer system in partnership with the private sector, which will oversee infrastructure, operations, and marketing. The Ministry will provide administrative facilitation to ensure timely execution. The initiative aligns with Egypt's broader Vision 2030 strategy, launched in 2014, to promote sustainable development, especially in underserved regions. Infrastructure and logistics corridors underpinned by Vision 2030 The Minister also detailed the country's ongoing infrastructure transformation, including logistics corridors linking industrial and agricultural areas to ports on the Red and Mediterranean Seas via roads and high-speed rail. Key corridors such as Taba–Arish, Sokhna–Dekheila, and Safaga–Qena–Alexandria are being prioritised for their strategic value in global trade connectivity. Boosting GDP through integrated industrial hubs With industry currently contributing around 14 per cent of GDP, Egypt aims to raise this figure to over 20 per cent. El-Wazir emphasised that textile cities will support this target by fostering innovation and integration across the value chain—from spinning and dyeing to ready-made garments and home textiles. The cities will feature sustainability-compliant infrastructure, training centres, investor service hubs, healthcare units, and logistics zones, aiming to meet global standards and increase Egypt's export competitiveness. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
