As highlighted during the opening of the Destination Africa 2024 exhibition, the Apparel Export Council of Egypt (AECE) aims to boost the country’s textile and apparl (T&A) 0exports by 10 per cent to $1.23 billion by 2024-end and further to $1.4 billion by 2025-end. In 2023, the country’s T&A exports grew by 5 per cent to $1.2 billion, affirms Hani Salam, Chairperson.
The 8th edition of Destination Africa exhibition, held in Cairo from Nov 16-17, 2024 featured 100 exhibitors, including 30 Egyptian textile companies—a significant increase from 20 participants last year. This uptick demonstrates the exhibition's effectiveness in attracting more businesses eager to capitalise on the opportunities it provides.
The exhibition attracted high-level attendees including Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment; Hossam Heiba, Chairperson, Investment and Free Zones Authority; Mohamed Qasai, President, Egyptian Exporters Association (ExpoLink); and Fadil Marzouk, Chairperson, Ready-made Garments Export Council. The event hosted 100 exhibitors and over 250 international buyers from key global markets, reinforcing Egypt’s reputation as a premier hub for international trade exhibitions.
According to Salam, the council attracted 75 international buyers specifically from the textile sector, with participants hailing from Europe, the United States, Arab countries, and African nations like Ghana, Kenya, Algeria, and Morocco. The total number of international buyers, spanning both ready-made garments and textiles, surpassed 250. This strong turnout underscores the exhibition's role in fostering regional and global partnerships within the industry.
Emphasising on the council's efforts to integrate Egyptian textile products into international supply chains, Salem also highlighted the council’s focus on strengthening ties with European and African markets, with promotional campaigns playing a key role in achieving these objectives.
