El Gharbeya governorate in Egypt recently hosted the "Food Manufacturers' Forum: Challenges and Solutions," organized by the Food Industries Chamber. The event, the first of its kind at the provincial level, brought together concerned parties from the industry, food safety, industrial development, and export sectors. The forum aimed to address the challenges faced by food manufacturers, propose solutions, and discuss mechanisms for dealing with them. This initiative supports existing factories and opens up opportunities for expansion and increased production.
The forum was attended by high-ranking officials, including El Gharbeya Governor, Dr. Alaa Abdel Maati, Deputy Governor, Eng. Hussam Abdelah, Food Industries Chamber Chairman, Eng. Ashraf El-Gazzayerli, and Egyptian Food Export Council Chairman, Mohamed Bazan. Other attendees included Major General Sharif El-Rashidi, head of the Industrial Affairs Sector, and Dr. Eman Helmy, advisor to the National Authority for Food Safety on government relations and international cooperation.
Governor Abdel Maati emphasized that the forum is an extension of the governorate's approach to engaging in direct dialogue with productive activity owners and listening to their demands and challenges in the presence of concerned parties. He mentioned that the governorate holds periodic meetings with economic blocs and productive village owners, follows up on proposed demands and suggestions, and works to remove obstacles, regulate situations, and support expansion in productive activities.
The governor highlighted that El Gharbeya boasts 28 economic blocs and several villages with productive advantages. He stressed that the Egyptian state, under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's leadership, prioritizes industry as a main axis for economic development, increasing production, providing job opportunities, and enhancing export capacity. The governorate aims to link productive activities to value chains and markets, improve production efficiency, and maximize the value added of local products.
Governor Abdel Maati pointed out that the governorate's role goes beyond listening to challenges, as it coordinates with ministries and concerned parties to find practical solutions and monitor their implementation. He praised the role of the Food Industries Chamber in organizing the forum and initiating direct dialogue with manufacturers, considering factory owners and investors as partners in development.
The governorate's efforts focus on supporting the industrial sector, which is a key driver of economic growth. By addressing the challenges faced by food manufacturers, the governorate aims to create a more favorable business environment, encouraging investment and job creation. The forum's outcomes are expected to contribute to the development of the food industry in El Gharbeya and enhance its competitiveness in the local and international markets.
The successful hosting of the forum demonstrates the governorate's commitment to fostering a collaborative environment between the public and private sectors. By working together, the governorate and food manufacturers can overcome challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and drive growth in the food industry, ultimately benefiting the local economy and community.
Key points
- The forum aimed to address challenges faced by food manufacturers and propose solutions to support existing factories and encourage expansion.
