Mahmoud Ghazal: $3.9 Billion in Untapped Export Opportunities for Egypt’s Ready-Made Garments and Home Textiles Sector

Eng. Mahmoud Ghazal, CEO of Nile Textile Industries and a member of the Textile Industries Chamber, emphasized that accelerating export growth in Egypt’s ready-made garments and home textiles sector requires an integrated strategy focused on expanding production capacity, broadening the exporter base, deepening local manufacturing, developing workforce skills and technology, streamlining government procedures, strengthening financing mechanisms, and improving access to international markets.

Commenting on the key discussions held during the Industry and Investment session at Egypt Forum 2026, Ghazal explained that the next phase must move beyond attracting investments toward maximizing their direct impact on production, exports, and value added, thereby creating sustainable employment opportunities and strengthening the competitiveness of Egyptian industry.

Sector Exports Reach $3.8 Billion in 2025

Ghazal noted that Egypt’s ready-made garments and home textiles sector recorded significant progress between 2016 and 2025, with exports increasing from approximately $1.5 billion to $3.8 billion. The sector’s share of non-petroleum merchandise exports also rose from 7.6% in 2016 to 8.1% in 2025, according to the cited data.

He added that the sector achieved a compound annual export growth rate of approximately 11%, compared with 2.5% growth in global imports of ready-made garments and home textiles. Meanwhile, Egypt’s share of the global market increased from 0.35% to 0.68%, reflecting improvements in the international competitiveness of Egyptian products.

Ghazal highlighted estimates indicating additional export opportunities worth approximately $3.9 billion, representing significant potential to increase the sector’s contribution to Egypt’s total exports. He also pointed out that exports could reach approximately $6.3 billion by 2030 if the projected compound annual growth rate is sustained.

He stressed that achieving these targets requires accelerating growth, increasing productive investments, improving factory efficiency, and expanding the number of companies capable of entering and maintaining a strong presence in international markets.

Five Priorities to Strengthen Export Competitiveness

Ghazal outlined five key priorities for supporting export growth in Egypt’s ready-made garments and home textiles sector.

First: Expanding the exporter base. Supporting young entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises in entering international markets through training, market intelligence, easier access to international certifications, and stronger connections between Egyptian manufacturers, global buyers, and international brands.

Second: Strengthening export support and financing. Enhancing export support programs and providing pre-shipment and post-shipment financing to help companies fulfill large orders, meet delivery deadlines, and expand their international business.

Third: Expanding production capacity and deepening local manufacturing. Maximizing the added value of Egyptian cotton throughout the production chain, from spinning and weaving to finishing and final products. This should be complemented by restarting underperforming factories and providing the financing and working capital needed to sustain production.

Fourth: Developing workforce skills, technology, and quality. Expanding vocational training programs in line with manufacturers’ needs, upgrading machinery, improving productivity, and adopting the quality and sustainability standards required by international markets.

Fifth: Streamlining procedures and opening new markets. Accelerating government and paperwork procedures, addressing investment and export barriers, maximizing the benefits of trade agreements, and expanding the implementation of the QIZ system into additional governorates in accordance with its governing regulations.

A Roadmap with Clear Targets Through 2030

Ghazal emphasized the importance of establishing a clear roadmap for developing the sector’s exports, with phased targets and measurable performance indicators covering export value, the number of exporting companies, new investments, productivity levels, and job creation, supported by regular monitoring of progress.

He concluded that Egyptian industry has genuine opportunities to strengthen its presence in global markets. However, turning these opportunities into a sustainable export breakthrough requires an integrated approach that brings together financing, production, workforce development, and technology, alongside a more efficient and business-friendly operating environment.

Ghazal stressed that the objective should go beyond increasing export value to building a more competitive industrial sector, maximizing the added value of Egyptian products, and strengthening local companies’ integration into global supply chains, thereby supporting Egypt’s economic growth and creating sustainable employment opportunities.