Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity and Ministry of Local Development are collaborating to localize silk production in Upper Egypt. Minister Nevine al-Qabaj and Minister Hisham Amena discussed this ambtious plan on Wednesday, outlines a multi-pronged approach to establish a thriving silk industry in the region.
The Ministry of Social Solidarity has already distributed 500 carpet looms to women in Upper Egypt. This initiative equips them with the foundational skills necessary for silk weaving, a crucial step in the production process. The next phase will see the ministries join forces with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. The collaboration aims to cultivate mulberry trees, the primary food source for silkworms, and establish silkworm breeding facilities. The ultimate goal is to achieve an annual production of 100 tons of raw silk, significantly boosting Egypt’s domestic silk production.
As highlighted in a January report by the Ministry of Local Development, their “Mashrouak” funding program provided financial backing to over 10,000 micro-enterprises in 2023, creating nearly 150,000 jobs. The program aims to disburse an even greater value of EGP4 billion in 2024. Additionally, the ministry’s Local Development Fund offers soft loans to further empower these businesses. In 2023, soft loans totaling LE28 million were provided, creating 2,500 jobs. This initiative will continue in 2024 with an allocation of LE35 million expected to benefit another 2,000 enterprises.
The Ministry of Local Development is also taking concrete steps to identify and utilize vacant industrial land. Through a nationwide screening process, over 1,400 plots were assessed, resulting in the identification of over 1,100 unoccupied plots spanning an impressive 5 million square meters. This initiative has already attracted 664 investors, paving the way for further industrial development across the country. The government’s commitment to revitalize Upper Egypt’s silk industry presents a promising opportunity for rural women..
