Egypt targets $1B marble and granite exports annually

CAIRO, Egypt (MNTV) — Egypt is aiming to generate up to $1 billion annually from marble and granite exports as part of a broader strategy to expand its mining sector and attract investment.

According to Industry Minister Khaled Hashem, authorities plan to significantly increase the number of active quarries by the end of 2026, requiring closer coordination between government institutions and both local and international investors to widen geological exploration efforts.

Officials said the expansion will focus on increasing geographic coverage and improving resource identification, positioning Egypt as a more competitive supplier in global stone markets.

As part of ongoing reforms, the government is introducing new measures to regulate and monitor production, including the installation of 18 weighbridges at quarry exits to track extraction volumes more accurately.

Authorities are also engaging directly with manufacturers in the Shaq El-Thoban industrial zone in Cairo, one of the country’s main hubs for marble and granite processing, while working to legalize previously unlicensed operators in coordination with local administration.

In parallel, the licensing system for quarry operations is being streamlined to reduce bureaucratic barriers and encourage formal sector participation.

To further support the industry, the ministry plans to establish an advisory committee that will include representatives from relevant government bodies and the Federation of Egyptian Industries, which represents more than 100,000 industrial enterprises across 21 sectors.

Officials say these combined efforts are intended to strengthen the mining sector’s contribution to the national economy and enhance Egypt’s position in international export markets.