Mostafa Madbouly: We aim to increase industrial sector employment to 7 million workers by 2030

Cairo - Ahmed Sabri: Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly reaffirmed his country’s commitment to consolidating its position as a regional hub for the iron and steel industry, by developing production and technological capacities and enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian products in regional and international markets, in line with the targets of “Egypt Vision 2030.”

This came during Madbouly’s participation in the opening of the 19th Arab Steel Summit in Cairo, which brings together approximately 700 participants representing more than 330 companies and institutions from over 40 countries, including 15 Arab countries, with the participation of ministers, corporate officials, and economic experts.

Madbouly stated that Egypt aims to raise the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP to around 20% by 2030, highlighting the importance of the iron and steel industry in supporting development and infrastructure projects, providing essential inputs for manufacturing and engineering industries, attracting investments, and creating jobs.

He noted that Arab countries’ steel production reached approximately 45 million tons in 2025, reflecting the sector’s economic and production weight, and pointed out that the Arab iron and steel industry ranks second only to the petrochemical sector in terms of investment volume and production value.

He called for strengthening Arab industrial integration and leveraging the production and competitive advantages of each country, alongside activating and monitoring the implementation of Arab agreements to facilitate intra-regional trade flows and the movement of products among Arab markets.

Madbouly emphasized the importance of an integrated steel industry in improving operational efficiency, maximizing added value, and increasing productivity. He explained that the Egyptian government is working to reduce production costs and requirements, improve energy and resource efficiency, and curb carbon emissions, to achieve a balance between industrial growth and environmental sustainability.

The Egyptian Prime Minister also addressed the rise of protectionist measures in international trade, noting that measures taken by some countries to protect their industries have contributed to redirecting steel trade flows toward alternative markets, thereby increasing competitive pressures on local industries.

He affirmed that the Egyptian government takes necessary measures to protect the national industry whenever legal and economic justifications exist, whether in cases of dumping, subsidies, or import surges requiring safeguard measures, with the aim of ensuring fair competition and protecting local investments and production.

On the human resources file, Madbouly said that Egypt aims to increase employment opportunities in the industrial sector to around 7 million workers by 2030, pointing to efforts to establish ten technical schools in collaboration with the private sector to train qualified cadres meeting the needs of the steel industry in Egyptian, Arab, and international markets.

On a separate note, the Media Center of the Cabinet clarified rumors circulating about the outbreak of a mysterious virus in the Esna Center in Luxor Governorate.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Center indicated that, following coordination with the Ministry of Health and Population, it was confirmed that there is no truth to claims of a mysterious virus spreading in Esna villages in Luxor Governorate. The ministry affirmed that the detected cases suffer from a seasonal viral infection that recurs at this time of year.

The ministry added that as soon as cases with high fever emerged among groups of citizens in Esna villages, immediate health follow-up was conducted, revealing the nature of the infection. It clarified that the infection is not transmitted through drinking water, food, or contact, and its symptoms include high fever and body aches.

The ministry noted that the vast majority of recorded cases resulting from this viral infection are mild and recover.

Home care through rest and fluid intake, with no cases requiring hospitalization. The Ministry confirmed the intensification of campaigns to combat disease vectors, including insects and rodents, and their monitoring in coordination with preventive medicine, to ensure the stability of the health and epidemiological situation in the villages of Esna. The Media Center of the Council of Ministers appealed to citizens not to fall prey to rumors and false information, to verify the accuracy of what is being circulated, and to rely on official statements from relevant authorities to obtain correct information.