Prime Minister inspects Maghrabi Agriculture in Beheira
During the tour, the Prime Minister inspected key facilities at MAFA, including IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) plants, cold storage units, quality control laboratories, pest management labs, and several farming stations.
MAFA is a leading exporter of agricultural products, supplying 70 international markets across the European Union, East Asia, and the Americas. The company exports approximately 153,000 tonnes annually of citrus, grapes, strawberries, lettuce, and dates, making it a vital contributor to Egypt's foreign currency reserves.
Sherif El Maghrabi, Chairperson of MAFA, explained that the company's IQF1 facility produces 65 tonnes per day and employs over 150 workers. A second facility under construction is expected to increase daily production capacity by 80 tonnes and create more than 200 new jobs. The company's cold storage complex, currently in its first operational phase, includes rapid cooling rooms and a storage capacity for 4,000 pallets.
One of the highlights of the visit was the biological pest control laboratory. Ashraf El-Arnaouti of Cairo University presented the lab's efforts to breed beneficial insects that target harmful pests. A key innovation includes a mobile application that detects red palm weevil infestations in real time, enabling targeted interventions that preserve crop quality.
El Maghrabi noted that such biological control technologies, which previously cost Egypt €17m in annual imports, are now being developed locally, significantly reducing costs while relying on Egyptian expertise.
The Prime Minister also visited the grape packaging station to observe the full value chain in action. El Maghrabi detailed the company's use of advanced desalination technology for irrigation and its expansion across 9,126 feddans in Nubariya, El Bustan, Tamboul, and Minya. Crops include citrus fruits, grapes, lettuce, dates, vegetables, herbs, and nursery plants.
MAFA employs 1,600 permanent staff—including engineers, accountants, and export specialists—and 6,000 seasonal workers, 7% of whom are people with disabilities. The company is heavily invested in research and development, utilising soil moisture sensors, precision spraying technology to reduce pesticide use, and introducing new citrus varieties through international partnerships. Its production strategies cater to both local consumption and export markets.
Prime Minister Madbouly praised MAFA's efforts, stressing that agriculture remains a cornerstone of Egypt's structural reform programme and a critical driver of export growth. He reaffirmed the state's support for expanding cultivated land and adopting advanced technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and economic returns.
Following the visit, the Prime Minister also inspected a mobile service convoy in Zawyet Saqr village in Abu El Matamir Centre, part of the 'Decent Life' presidential initiative.
Governor Jacqueline Azar presented an overview of Beheira Governorate, which comprises 15 centres, 17 cities, and is home to 7 million people. Beheira leads Egypt in fruit and vegetable production and citrus exports. She noted that agriculture is the main source of income for Abu El Matamir's 830,000 residents.
The 'Decent Life' initiative in Beheira covers six centres, with 3,916 development projects across 42 villages and 236 hamlets. Of these, 2,759 projects have been completed, 90% of which are now operational. In Abu El Matamir alone, 516 projects have been finalised, with 321 already in service.
In Zawyet Saqr, 38 of the 39 planned projects have been completed and are fully operational. These include family development services, canal lining, a fire station, internal roadworks, an agricultural complex, a youth centre, and a comprehensive service hub.
The Prime Minister also visited a one-day food market offering affordable goods, organised by the Beheira Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade. He concluded his tour by inspecting mobile medical units providing services to local residents.
The post Prime Minister inspects Maghrabi Agriculture in Beheira appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily News Egypt
3 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
Industry minister, automakers discuss localizing car sheet metal production
Egypt's Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Al-Wazir has held an extensive meeting with leading steel producers and representatives from automotive and bus manufacturing and assembly companies, as part of the state's strategy to promote local manufacturing and deepen production chains. The Monday discussions focused on exploring practical mechanisms to localize automotive sheet metal production in Egypt. Al-Wazir underlined the government's firm commitment to supporting the iron and steel sector, given its critical role in sustaining key industries—particularly the automotive industry. He stressed that localizing automotive sheet metal production is currently a top priority, as it would significantly reduce import costs, increase the proportion of local content, and enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian products in domestic and global markets. The Minister explained that the ministry is developing an integrated strategy based on two main pillars. The first pillar aims to ensure a sustainable legislative and incentive framework, alongside clear implementation plans to support long-term industrial investment. The second focuses on identifying vehicle components that can realistically be manufactured locally, supported by skilled human resources and defined timelines. Al-Wazir noted that the ministry will continue close coordination with all relevant parties—including private sector stakeholders and government institutions—to ensure the efficient and timely execution of this national initiative. He emphasised that localizing automotive sheet metal production is not only a critical step in reducing imports but also serves as a launchpad for broader efforts to expand local manufacturing of vehicle components. This will pave the way for new industrial partnerships aligned with Egypt's economic development goals. The Minister highlighted that the domestic market has solid demand that could underpin the establishment of various feeder industries. He pointed out that Egypt already produces some automotive components that are exported to international markets, reflecting the competitiveness and quality of local manufacturing. Al-Wazir also identified promising opportunities to localize additional key components—including tires, glass, and sheet metal—and affirmed that the ministry is working to capture these opportunities by fostering effective public-private partnerships and creating a supportive environment for sustainable industrial investment. During the meeting, participants reviewed the perspectives of major steel producers on the feasibility of supplying sheet metal tailored to the design and structural needs of different vehicle types. Discussions also addressed production methods for exterior sheet metal, relevant design standards, and technical specifications. The meeting further examined the strategy and estimated production volumes needed to align with the state's broader plan to localize the automotive industry. Al-Wazir announced plans to hold a larger follow-up meeting with vehicle manufacturers and feeder industries to deepen technical discussions. The goal is to ensure that local sheet metal production matches the specifications required by automotive manufacturers. He called for closer coordination between steel producers, car assembly firms, and component manufacturers to integrate supply chains and advance the localization process in line with the national vision. The Minister concluded by stating that localizing automotive sheet metal production represents a qualitative step toward increasing local content and improving the effectiveness of the incentives offered to the automotive sector. This move is expected to boost the sector's regional and international competitiveness by reducing reliance on imports, improving supply chain stability, and enhancing investor confidence in Egypt's industrial landscape—all of which support manufacturers' capacity to meet production and export targets.
Daily News Egypt
3 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's Foreign Minister discusses Nile water security with Ugandan president
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in Entebbe on Monday to discuss Egypt's 'existential' concerns over its water security and ways to boost bilateral ties, the Egyptian foreign ministry said. Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, also attended the high-level meeting during the official visit to Uganda. In a statement, the ministry said Abdelatty conveyed Egypt's concerns regarding the Nile River and stressed the need to adhere to international law for shared water resources. He voiced Egypt's rejection of 'unilateral actions' in the eastern Nile Basin and affirmed that Cairo 'will take all necessary measures under international law to protect its water security.' 'The waters of the Nile are an existential issue for Egypt,' Abdelatty told the Ugandan president. The minister of water resources and irrigation reiterated that respect for international law on the Nile River is the basis for positive cooperation to achieve the common interest of all basin countries. During the meeting, Abdelatty, who conveyed greetings from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, also called for the formation of a joint Egyptian-Ugandan business council to boost investment in sectors like construction, energy, and pharmaceuticals. He highlighted the potential for joint projects through a financing mechanism recently established by Egypt to support development in southern Nile Basin countries. The officials also discussed regional security developments, including the situation in the Horn of Africa and counter-terrorism efforts. For his part, President Museveni asked for his greetings to be passed to President Sisi and stressed his country's keenness to enhance bilateral cooperation, the statement said. Separately, Abdelatty and Sewilam also met with Ugandan Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello, in Kampala. In that meeting, they discussed similar issues of economic cooperation and regional security, and Abdelatty delivered a grant of agricultural equipment and light transport vehicles to a Ugandan non-governmental organisation that supports youth and small-scale farmers.
Daily News Egypt
9 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egyptian Exchange chief highlights investment opportunities for diaspora
The chairperson of the Egyptian Exchange (EGX), Ahmed El-Sheikh, has highlighted the pivotal role of the stock market in supporting the national economy and outlined investment opportunities available to Egyptians living abroad. Speaking at the 6th 'Egyptians Abroad' conference in Cairo, El-Sheikh emphasised the exchange's importance as an effective tool for channelling savings into productive investments, thereby financing development projects and achieving sustainable growth. He pointed to recent incentives and facilities aimed at attracting Egyptian expatriates, such as allowing investor registration with a valid passport and offering comprehensive digital solutions for opening accounts and executing trades through advanced fintech applications. 'These facilities are part of a broader strategy to encourage the participation of Egyptians abroad in the financial markets and enhance their contribution to the sustainable growth of the national economy,' El-Sheikh said. The EGX chairperson detailed efforts to diversify financial instruments to meet the demands of various investor categories. He noted the launch of the EGX33 Shariah index for investors seeking Sharia-compliant investments, and the EGX35-LV index for low-volatility stocks, aimed at those seeking stable investments and portfolio diversification. El-Sheikh also stressed the market's commitment to transparency, governance, and investor protection. He announced the upcoming launch this month of the 'EGX Gate' application, a digital platform designed to enable investors to follow market developments and communicate directly with the exchange. He pointed to the positive performance of the Egyptian stock market, which is the second-largest Arab exchange by the number of listed companies. On July 27, 2025, the four main market indices (EGX30, EGX70, EGX100, EGX33), as well as the market capitalisation, reached unprecedented historic levels, reflecting rising investor confidence, he said. El-Sheikh also highlighted the exchange's efforts to enhance financial inclusion and expand its investor base. The number of new individual investors in the first six months of the current year reached about 123,000, compared to approximately 100,000 in the same period last year. He concluded by affirming that the coming period will see more initiatives aimed at expanding the base of Egyptian investors abroad, in cooperation with various capital market entities and commercial representative offices, to support the state's efforts to increase foreign currency inflows and maximise investments.
