Jamal Al-Saudi, head of the paper and cardboard division of the Chamber of Printing & Packaging Industries of the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI), says that the economic conference that President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called on the government to hold by the month-end is of great significance for manufacturers and investors in light of the challenges facing the Egyptian industries.
The conference hosting investors, industrialists, economists, and industry think tanks, will discuss the future of the Egyptian economy, ways to support the industry and stimulate investments, besides developing an incentive package for the export industry.
In a recently issued statement, Al-Saudi says that there are a number of demands to be considered that will enhance the development of the local paper and cardboard industry and increase its exports. Exports rose by 37% during the first half of 2022 to $614.6 million, as compared to $449.4 million in the year-earlier period.
He explained that with a total number of about 120 paper and cardboard factories producing an output of about 7,000 tons per day, at a rate of two million tons annually – a production that exceeds the volume of domestic consumption by about 40% – the Egyptian market does not have the need to establish new paper units.
Al-Saudi also stresses on the need for afforestation with focus on fast-growing trees such as eucalyptus using treated wastewater to develop green belts in industrial areas and along the roads.
