Egypt seeks proven ways to develop small industries and their export potential

Egypt is seeking to acquire information, strategies, and proven marketing skills and capabilities -- in independent and joint ventures -- adopted by companies and countries that have shown a successful record in helping promote the development and exports capabilities of small and medium sized companies.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Trade Youssef Boutros Ghali announced yesterday that his ministry is studying the possibility of enlisting the help of an Indian marketing company for a joint effort with Egyptian investors to collect products of small ventures and market them abroad.

The announcement followed Minister Ghali's press statements after he opened a seminar to explore ways of bringing the policies of small and medium-scale ventures up to date, and ways to guarantee finance.

The two-day meeting is organised by the Ministry of Foreign Trade in co-operation with Candia International Development Agency (CIDA) of Canada and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). International experts in the issues of small and medium ventures will be attending.

Mr Ghali said that the study deals with the establishment of a firm similar to, or a branch of the Indian marketing company, which has been successful in the field.

This firm would work with Egyptian investors, who can avail themselves of its experience.

"Small ventures cannot produce huge quantities and accordingly they are unable to market their products abroad, control quality, and be aware of the different needs of markets and consumer trends abroad," he told the meeting.

Ghali cited the example of Carpets and Hand-Made Kelim Industry in Egypt, supplies a huge demand abroad.

"But no one outside Egypt is willing to make out a monthly contract to buy only ten carpets made by a small factory. But if a marketing company collects ten carpets from twenty small businesses, a deal could be made with big-name stores in Europe, where the product could be displayed in their branches," he said.

Ghali pointed out that exporting does not depend only on the products of large-scale companies but principally on a wide base of small ventures in Egyptian.

"The government is supporting and encouraging these ventures to gain access to the outside world and explore means of producing and exporting goods," Ghali said.

"However, before offering the support program for these ventures we have first to pinpoint those small ventures that are entitled for funding for their projects," Ghali told the seminar, which sets out to arrive at a clear definition of trends in the Egyptian export market.

Five specialist groups have been formed to discuss the topics proposed for the two-day event. The first group will look into modernising the general framework for development of small and medium ventures. The second will tackle the definitions of micro-, small- and medium-scale enterprises in Egypt.

The examination is to increase opportunities to secure funds for micro-, small- and medium-scale ventures will be the task of the third group. The fourth will discuss reducing the costs, while following the regulations for setting up, operating and expanding the business.

The fifth group will look into the issue of government purchases of small and medium -scale ventures.

Ghali laid emphasis in his opening speech on the dynamism and potential of micro-, small- and medium scale businesses for economic growth, creating job opportunities, and becoming an essential element in the creation of a successful industrial community.