Revitalizing Egypt’s artisanal heritage and stimulating inclusive economic growth, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly chaired a high-level meeting today to unveil the National Strategy for Handicrafts 2025–2030. The meeting, held at the government headquarters in New Alamein City, was attended by Dr. Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity; Mr. Basil Rahmy, CEO of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA); and a number of senior officials, sector consultants, and development experts.
Reviving Egypt’s Handcrafted Heritage
Madbouly opened the session by underscoring the government’s commitment to preserving and revitalizing Egypt’s traditional and handmade crafts. He emphasized that the preservation of these crafts is not only a cultural obligation but also a strategic economic opportunity. “Reviving heritage and handmade crafts is a national priority,” he stated. “This initiative contributes to cultural preservation and economic sustainability in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.”
The Prime Minister noted that the involvement of numerous government and development bodies necessitated the creation of a unified strategic framework. As a result, the Ministry of Social Solidarity and MSMEDA were tasked with coordinating a comprehensive national vision, in close collaboration with various stakeholders.
Diverse Artisanal Traditions
According to Cabinet Spokesman Mohamed El-Homsany, the National Strategy for Handicrafts (2025–2030) outlines an ambitious roadmap for positioning Egypt as a leading global center for handcrafted products. The vision emphasizes the development of competitive and sustainable value chains rooted in Egypt’s rich cultural heritage and diverse artisanal traditions.
Key goals of the strategy include a substantial increase in export revenues, with a target of reaching $600 million by the year 2030. Domestically, the strategy aims to ensure that handcrafted products constitute 70 percent of the local market share, reflecting a deep integration of artisanal goods into everyday consumer demand.
Equally important is the strategy’s social and economic impact. It aims to create 120,000 new jobs within the handicraft sector, while also ensuring the sustainability of current employment. A gradual formalization of the sector is also prioritized, with plans to increase the number of registered artisanal businesses by 10 percent annually. Additionally, the strategy calls for the development of 15 natural artisan clusters across key regions in Egypt, harnessing local expertise and cultural identity to support economic development.
Execution Framework and Institutional Foundations
To ensure effective implementation, the strategy introduces several institutional reforms and infrastructure developments. Chief among them is the establishment of a National Handicrafts Council, which will serve as the sector’s main governing body. This council will lead regulatory efforts, ensure inter-agency coordination, and drive long-term planning. Complementing this is the proposed Center for Handicraft Design and Export, envisioned as a specialized hub providing technical, creative, and logistical support to artisans and small producers.
The execution framework includes 32 detailed action plans addressing market access, export readiness, cluster development, digital enablement, and sustainability. It also integrates financial planning with clear performance indicators, funding mechanisms, and a robust monitoring and evaluation system. Legal reforms and strategic partnerships with private sector and civil society actors are also being considered to support the enabling environment.
Global Inspiration and Local Impact
The strategy has been informed by a review of successful international models, which highlighted several common success factors. These include strong institutional leadership, phased development strategies, brand-building initiatives, preservation of cluster identities, and a strong emphasis on innovation and modern design. Egypt aims to adapt and integrate these best practices while retaining the authenticity and distinctiveness of its own crafts.
Importantly, the strategy’s impact is expected to extend well beyond the target period. Officials project that between 2031 and 2035, the sector will experience continued growth in export volumes, improved efficiency, and reduced operational costs—laying the foundation for a sustainable creative economy.
An Inclusive and Authentic Approach
In a significant step toward community engagement, Prime Minister Madbouly approved the formation of new governance bodies and emphasized the need for inclusivity in leadership. He directed that veteran craftsmen and custodians of traditional knowledge be represented on the board of trustees of the National Handicrafts Council. This measure aims to anchor the strategy in real-world expertise while honoring Egypt’s long-standing artisanal heritage.
