CAIRO: On behalf of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly inaugurated the sixth edition of the “Our Heritage 2024” exhibition, a significant event dedicated to products, crafts, and heritage. The exhibition is being held at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in the Fifth Settlement from December 12 to 21, under the auspices of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the exhibition aims to revive and promote Egyptian cultural heritage through handicrafts. It features participation from more than 1,000 projects across 32 craft sectors, occupying an area of 10,000 square meters. Countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and India are participating, highlighting their contributions to entrepreneurship and heritage preservation. The event’s goal is to foster collaboration and trade between Egypt and these nations.
Mr. Basel Rahmy, CEO of the organizing agency, outlined the extensive efforts to incorporate pro
jects into the formal economy under Law No. 152 of 2020. The exhibition also emphasizes environmentally friendly products that reflect Egypt’s artistic traditions. Additionally, Rahmy mentioned the agency’s partnerships with international organizations to offer consultancy services, aiming to transform the exhibition into a global forum for artisans.
Prime Minister Madbouly toured various pavilions, including those of international participants and local artisans, such as those from Halayeb and Shalateen. He engaged with representatives about their craft, which leverages local environmental materials, and discussed the potential for enhanced marketing and export opportunities.
Memorandums of understanding are set to be signed, including one with the Indian National Institute for Small Enterprises, focusing on collaboration in developing SMEs. Other agreements aim to support disabled artisans and enhance the visibility of handicraft products, notably through Cairo International Airport and the Grand Egyptian
Museum.
The exhibition underscores the government’s commitment to supporting heritage crafts and integrating them into broader economic frameworks, thereby creating job opportunities and preserving cultural identity.