Damietta: Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem has declared Damietta Furniture City as a significant national project and a specialized industrial hub that will serve as a launchpad for Egyptian furniture to penetrate global markets. Hashem made these statements during a tour of the city with Damietta Governor Hossam El-Din Fawzy at the beginning of his visit to the governorate.
According to State Information Service Egypt, both officials evaluated the city's development, inaugurated a new furniture factory, inspected five manufacturing plants, and visited the Furniture Technology Center. The Minister highlighted that the city is the largest specialized zone for furniture and related industries in the Middle East, with capabilities that attract investment and boost exports. He emphasized the Furniture Technology Center's critical role in testing products to meet European standards, thereby building international trust in Egyptian products.
The Minister also underscored the center's efforts in localizing modern technology, training manufacturers, and aligning technical skills with labor market demands. During an initial briefing with city leadership, the officials reviewed the development plan, which includes workshops, exhibition halls, a 150,000-square-meter free zone, a dry port, a logistics area, and a forthcoming technical school. At the Furniture Technology Center, Hashem met with Director Asmaa Fouda to review training laboratories and the conclusion of summer training programs for students and manufacturers.
The minister inspected quality testing laboratories responsible for ensuring products meet international standards. Damietta Governor Hossam El-Din Fawzy highlighted the governorate's promising industrial assets, which include a strategic port, specialized zones, and a skilled workforce. He stated that the governorate is committed to simplifying investor procedures, stimulating new investments, deepening local manufacturing, and generating job opportunities.
The minister's tour included several factories, beginning with Mix Door, an EGP 100 million facility spanning 2,200 square meters with an annual capacity of 100,000 doors at 50% local content. Welcomed by the Head of the company, Mohamed Nabil, the minister inspected the assembly lines and showrooms of the firm, which exports 25% of its output to Iraq and Saudi Arabia and employs 125 workers. He also visited Zamzam Furniture, an EGP 25 million plant over 1,600 square meters producing 2,500 full rooms annually at 55% local content, exporting 66% of its output across the Arab region and Africa while employing 75 staff.