Egypt eyes Qena industrial boost with major aluminium, textile projects

Egypt’s Minister of Public Business Sector Mohamed Shimi has held talks with Qena Governor Khaled Abdel Halim to explore ways of boosting cooperation on joint initiatives and driving development in the governorate and accross southern Upper Egypt.

The talks reviewed major investment and development projects carried out by state-owned companies in Qena, notably Misr Aluminum Company (Egyptalum) in Nagaa Hammadi.

These include refurbishing and upgrading the current smelter, adding 300,000 tons of annual production capacity, establishing a solar power plant in partnership with Norway’s Scatec to supply clean energy to the industrial complex, and launching a new 60,000-ton wire production line.

Additional value-added projects under consideration involve aluminium foil, car wheel rims, and slag recycling to maximise economic returns and expand export opportunities.

Shimi also noted that the ministry, through the Cotton and Textile Industries Holding Company (CTIHC), is implementing the national project to modernise Egypt’s textile industry across seven companies nationwide, including Upper Egypt Spinning & Weaving Company, which operates a production unit in Qena.

Discussions also touched on the potential supply of buses from El Nasr Automotive to support the governorate’s transport network, aiming to improve public services and upgrade transport infrastructure.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: M. S. Salama