Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem made these remarks during the annual conference of the Federation of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, also attended by Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk.
The ministry is bolstering its efforts to improve communication with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by facilitating access to accurate information on markets, goods, and industrial and production-related activities, Minister Hashem said.
The initiative aims to increase exports, prioritize industrial development, identify production gaps, and allocate funds where needed. Special focus will be given to activities in rural areas and villages to raise family incomes, create more jobs, and promote sustainable economic growth across governorates.
The minister added that Egypt’s export development strategy will not only focus on increasing exports but also on raising the share of local components in exported products. The goal is to strengthen local manufacturing, increase the added value of Egyptian products, improve the industry’s position in regional and international markets, and reduce reliance on imported production components.
SMEs accounted for around 98 percent of Egypt’s private sector in 2025 and play a central role in the government’s economic development strategy, which emphasizes private-sector investment to enhance economic participation and competitiveness.
In a separate statement on Tuesday, Finance Minister Kouchouk said updates for the second phase of the tax facilitation package will be presented to the House of Representatives after the Eid holiday.
Tax facilitation is a key part of Egypt’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, funded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The second phase, launched in 2025, aims to encourage voluntary taxpayer compliance through simplified procedures, expanded digital services, and a larger taxpayer base.
Recently, around 120,000 taxpayers voluntarily joined the tax system, while 660,000 amended and new tax returns were submitted, representing a business volume of EGP 1 trillion and generating EGP 80 billion in additional taxes, according to Kouchouk.
Tax revenues rose 31.4 percent, or EGP 336.3 billion, reaching EGP 1.4 trillion during the first six months of FY2025/2026. Income tax revenues increased 47 percent, or EGP 146 billion, reaching EGP 456.6 billion, driven by higher collections across most income tax categories.
Short link: