Speaking at the opening of the third edition of the Al-Ahram Commercial Vehicles Exhibition 2026, held under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Hashem said the event supports state efforts to localize industry, attract investment, transfer technology, and enhance Egypt's export capabilities.
The exhibition was attended by Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid, representing the prime minister, along with Mohamed Fayez Farahat, chairman of the Al-Ahram Foundation, senior government officials, and executives from local and international automotive companies.
Hashem toured the exhibition's halls and reviewed the latest commercial vehicle models and logistics technologies presented by participating companies. He also test-drove one of the vehicles on display and met with company representatives to discuss developments in the sector.
"The quality of the products on display reflects the ability of companies operating in Egypt to deepen local manufacturing and increase Egyptian content in commercial vehicles in line with international standards," Hashem said.
He described the exhibition as an important platform for strengthening links between manufacturers, investors, and customers, while creating new opportunities for partnerships, investment, and business expansion.
Hashem said the automotive industry remains a priority sector under Egypt's Industrial Strategy 2030 due to its capacity to attract investment, support technology transfer, develop feeder industries, create jobs, and boost exports.
He added that the Ministry of Industry continues to implement measures to improve the industrial investment climate by simplifying procedures, facilitating access to industrial services, providing serviced industrial land, and supporting the expansion of productive projects.
The minister also highlighted the Automotive Industry Development Programme (AIDP), saying it reflects the state's commitment to building a modern and sustainable automotive industry based on increasing local content, deepening manufacturing, raising value added, and attracting new investment.
He said these efforts aim to strengthen the competitiveness and export capabilities of companies operating in Egypt and support the country's ambition to become a regional hub for automotive manufacturing.
The exhibition brings together manufacturers, dealers, investors, and industry specialists to showcase the latest transport and logistics solutions, including several products being introduced to the Egyptian market for the first time.
Egypt has accelerated efforts to develop a domestic automotive industry as part of its Industrial Strategy 2030, which identifies vehicle manufacturing as one of the country's priority sectors due to its potential to attract investment, create jobs, deepen local supply chains, and increase exports.
The government launched the AIDP in 2022 to encourage higher local content, support component manufacturers, and provide incentives tied to production volumes and value-added activities. Officials have repeatedly said the programme is central to Egypt's ambition to become a regional manufacturing and export hub serving African and Middle Eastern markets.
The exhibition comes days after El-Nasr Automotive Manufacturing Company signed a strategic partnership agreement with China's FAW Group to produce a range of passenger vehicles under the revived Nasr brand. The agreement marks a new step in Egypt's efforts to rebuild its national automotive industry and expand local manufacturing capacity after years of decline.
Global automakers continue to invest in expanding production in Egypt.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly toured Nissan's facilities in Sixth of October City, where the Japanese automaker is preparing to manufacture the Nissan Magnite locally with a planned production capacity of up to 50,000 vehicles annually and a local-content ratio exceeding 55 percent.
The government has also encouraged investments in electric vehicles and automotive components, while expanding industrial zones and logistics infrastructure to support manufacturers. Officials view the automotive sector as a cornerstone of Egypt's strategy to increase industrial exports, reduce import dependence, and attract technology-intensive investments.
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