Arab Finance: Egypt's ready-made garment exports climbed 20% year-on-year (YoY) to $3.394 billion in 2025 from $2.846 billion in 2024, according to a statement by Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade.
In a meeting chaired by the executive head of the Export Development Authority, Hatem El-Nawawy, the sector's performance and measures to strengthen its competitiveness and expand exports to global markets were reviewed.
El-Nawawy said the investment ministry is implementing a comprehensive strategy to boost exports by enhancing the competitiveness of productive sectors and increasing the value added of Egyptian products.
He highlighted the ready-made garments sector as one of Egypt's most promising export industries, citing its established manufacturing base and export expertise.
The meeting also tackled the sector’s exports, which reached $1.150 billion during the January-April period of 2026, up 15% from about $1.002 billion in the corresponding period of 2025.
It added that 21 new companies had joined the Apparel Export Council of Egypt (AECE) as of July 5th, 2026, reflecting a broader exporter base and higher export capacity.
Discussions also focused on increasing local manufacturing, attracting investment in supporting industries, strengthening production integration, and improving rules of origin to raise value added and enhance the sector's global competitiveness.
In this regard, Chairman of AECE Fadel Marzouk said the council would continue coordinating with the ministry and the Export Development Fund to support exporters, expand into new markets, and attract additional investment.
Meanwhile, the council’s treasurer Alaa Arafa noted that the council is pursuing a strategy to increase ready-made garment exports to $12 billion over the next five years. This will be achieved by expanding the exporter base, deepening local manufacturing, increasing value added, and making greater use of Egypt's trade agreements.
Arafa added that improving rules of origin and raising awareness of their implementation would help companies maximize the benefits of those agreements.
