Egypt’s El-Khatib discuss cotton sector expansion with ICAC

Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El-Khatib met with Eric Trashtenberg, executive director of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), to discuss ways to enhance Egypt’s cotton industry and increase its global market share.

The talks, held on Monday, also centered on strengthening Egypt’s textile and spinning industries. Minister El-Khatib outlined the country’s strategic plan to capitalise on its high-quality cotton and favorable location, while stressing the importance of skilled labor development through specialised universities.

Minister El-Khatib further proposed hosting ICAC’s 2026 annual conference in Egypt, viewing it as an opportunity to showcase the country’s cotton sector progress and foster international collaboration.

In addition, Trashtenberg highlighted ICAC’s efforts to create a global platform for sustainable cotton trade and tackle regulatory hurdles in European markets. He also emphasised the need for environmental and social initiatives to support natural cotton, including empowering rural women and combating plastic pollution.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser