The Prime Minister at the opening of the 19th Arab Steel Summit: We aim to raise the industry's contribution to GDP to 30% by 2030.. and the government is taking firm measures to protect the national industry from harmful trade practices
Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, the Egyptian Prime Minister, affirmed that the iron and steel industry represents one of the strategic sectors for Arab industry, due to its pivotal role in supporting manufacturing and engineering industries, increasing production, and creating job opportunities, pointing out that the steel industry ranks among the foremost Arab industries after petrochemicals in terms of economic importance.
This came during his speech at the opening of the nineteenth Arab Steel Summit, organized by the Arab Iron and Steel Union in Cairo on November 3 and 4, 2026, in the presence of Eng. Khaled Hashem, Minister of Industry, Eng. Ahmed Ezz, Chairman of the Union, and with wide participation from leaders of Arab and international industrial companies.
The Prime Minister welcomed the participants and development partners from around the world, praising the role played by steel industry leaders in the Arab world, and the importance of the summit in expanding cooperation horizons between companies and strengthening industrial partnerships, in a way that supports building a more prosperous future for the region.
Madbouly pointed out that confidence in the iron and steel sector is based on an industrial base comprising companies and institutions that represent successful models in this vital sector, emphasizing the importance of strengthening Arab industrial integration, facilitating intra-Arab trade, enhancing the flow of Arab products between markets, and opening broader horizons for them to reach the markets of Arab countries, in a way that supports the competitiveness of Arab industry and contributes to achieving sustainable economic development.
Egypt aims to raise the industry's contribution to 30% by 2030
The Prime Minister explained that the Egyptian state is keen to consolidate its position as a regional hub for modern industry, by developing production and technological capabilities, and enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian products in regional and international markets, in line with the objectives of the industrial development strategy and Egypt's Vision 2030.
He indicated that the strategy aims to build an advanced industrial base and raise the industrial sector's contribution to the gross domestic product to about 30% by 2030.
He stressed that the integrated steel industry represents one of the important pathways to achieve these objectives, due to the linkage it provides between different stages of production, from raw materials to final products, which contributes to raising operational efficiency, maximizing added value, achieving the highest quality standards, and increasing productivity.
He added that the government is working to support this trend by reducing production costs and its requirements, improving the efficiency of energy and resource use, and limiting carbon emissions, in a way that balances the requirements of industrial growth with environmental sustainability goals.
Firm measures to protect the national steel industry
Regarding international trade, Madbouly said that the government is closely monitoring the rapid transformations in global trade, especially the escalation of protectionist measures and actions taken by many countries to protect their national industries, and the resulting redirection of steel trade flows from more protected markets to alternative markets, which increases competitive pressures on local industries in those markets.
He affirmed the government's keenness to take firm measures to protect the national industry whenever its legal justifications are available, whether in cases of dumping, subsidies, or an increase in imports that necessitates taking safeguard measures.
He explained that these measures aim to ensure fair competition, protect investments and local products, maintain the sustainability of industrial activity, balance markets, and confront practices that violate international trade rules.
Establishment of 10 technical schools to qualify cadres for the steel industry
In the context of human resource development, the Prime Minister stressed that the Egyptian government pays great attention to qualifying engineering and technical cadres, as they are a fundamental pillar for developing industry and enhancing its competitiveness, in addition to their role in increasing job opportunities in the industrial sector.
He revealed that the government is currently working on establishing 10 technical schools in cooperation with the private sector, to prepare new generations of qualified technicians, holding local and European accreditations, to meet the needs of the steel industry in Egyptian, Arab, and international markets.
Madbouly expressed the pride of the Egyptian state in its specialized engineering competencies and technical expertise in the iron and steel sector, affirming that these capabilities contribute to the development of Egyptian and Arab industry and enhance its competitiveness.
Studying the establishment of a specialized sector for the steel industry at the Ministry of Industry
In a step aimed at developing the institutional framework supporting the industry, the Prime Minister announced the study of ways to enhance cooperation between the government and representatives of the industrial sector and companies operating in the Egyptian steel industry, by studying the establishment of a specialized sector concerned with steel industry affairs within the Ministry of Industry.
He explained that the proposed sector would be an effective link between the ministry and the chamber of companies operating in the sector, and would be responsible for preparing economic and technical studies, analyzing market developments, providing specialized consultations, and anticipating future challenges and opportunities.
He indicated that this step aims to develop industrial policies and enhance decision-making efficiency on scientific and objective bases, which supports the growth of the steel industry and enhances its ability to confront local and international changes.
Madbouly concluded his speech by welcoming the summit participants again, expressing his hope that the discussions will lead to practical outcomes that serve the development goals in Egypt and the sisterly Arab countries.
