A statement issued by the small and medium enterprises development authority:

Newspaper Title: Egypt Cainet

Newspaper Number:

Wednesday - 21 June 2023

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority is hosting the "Buy Egyptian Art" exhibition in collaboration with the National Committee for Combating Illegal Immigration.

Mr. Basel Rahmi, the CEO of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, emphasized the agency's commitment to implementing the state's directives aimed at supporting Egyptian products that have a high competitive advantage and export potential, including handicrafts and heritage products. This is to promote the authentic products, which Egypt is famous for as well as to support handicraft projects and enhance their ability to provide abundant job opportunities for citizens in various governorates, especially border and Upper Egypt.

This occurred during the opening of the eleventh edition of the "Buy Egyptian Art" exhibition, which showcases handicrafts and heritage products. The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Hamdi Loza, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and was attended by Mr. Basel Rahmi, the CEO of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, and Ambassador Naila Gabr, President of the National Committee for Combating Illegal Immigration. The exhibition is being held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and will run from June 21 to June 22, 2023. In addition to all diplomatic delegations and foreign communities in Egypt have been invited to visit the exhibition to introduce them to the ancient Egyptian products.

Rahmi explained that the "Buy Egyptian Art" exhibition aims to introduce ambassadors and diplomats to the handicrafts and heritage products made by Egyptian youth, which contributes to opening marketing channels between diplomats and youth, enhancing the products' export opportunities, and increasing their popularity outside the country. He also noted that the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority is working to provide various forms of financial and technical support to handicraft owners and help them participate in various exhibitions and events that allow them to market their products, whether through direct sales or contracts.

It is worth noting that this year's edition of the exhibition offers integrated marketing services for shipping exhibitors' products to foreign markets through specialized international companies. It also showcases a diverse collection of ancient Egyptian heritage products, including tulle products, handmade tents, carpets, leather products, silver and jewelry, and palm fiber products. The exhibition is involved from various associations that have an interest in handicrafts and heritage, along with exhibitors from governorates that are highly impacted by illegal immigration. These exhibitors have been trained through initiatives such as the "Contribution to Creating Job Opportunities for Women in Upper Egypt" program, which is supported by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development, and the "Qualification and Training of 50 Women for Exporting Handicrafts and Heritage" program, implemented in partnership with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation.

Source : Egypt Cabinet

Translated by Rehab Taha

Cairo Chamber