Egypt is stepping up efforts to transform its marble and granite industry into a major export earner, with authorities targeting US$1 billion in annual overseas sales as they move to formalise quarry operations, tighten regulation and expand production.
The push reflects Cairo’s broader strategy to boost non-oil exports and make greater use of its natural resources at a time when the country is under pressure to strengthen foreign currency inflows and reduce reliance on imports.
Industry Minister Khaled Hashem said the government considers marble and granite a priority sector capable of delivering strong export growth if long-standing operational bottlenecks are addressed.
Speaking at a high-level meeting with government agencies, industry groups, quarry operators and investors, Hashem said Egypt has the raw materials and industrial base to significantly raise its presence in the global stone market.
He said the sector had the potential to generate US$1 billion annually in exports, provided reforms are implemented to improve governance, productivity and competitiveness.
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The meeting brought together representatives from the Federation of Egyptian Industries, the National Service Projects Organization, the Egyptian Company for Mining and Quarry Management, the Industrial Development Authority, as well as manufacturers and investors active in the industry.
Discussions focused on ways to make better use of Egypt’s extensive stone reserves, expand exploration activities and improve the regulatory framework governing quarrying and stone processing.
Officials also examined strategies to help Egyptian marble and granite producers better compete internationally by aligning output quality and product range with the demands of export markets.
Egypt has long been known for its abundant deposits of ornamental stone, including marble and granite used in construction, architecture and interior finishing. But despite strong resource potential, the sector has often struggled with informality, fragmented production, inconsistent quality and weak export coordination.
Authorities now appear determined to address those weaknesses through tighter oversight and a more structured operating environment.
One of the measures under way is the installation of weighing systems at quarry exits to improve transparency and curb underreporting of extracted materials.
Officials said 18 new weighbridges are being established as part of the effort to ensure more accurate tracking of quarry output and reduce opportunities for manipulation.
The government also said it is working to simplify procedures for quarry owners and exploration operators while increasing compliance with licensing and operational standards.
Hashem said recent efforts had included direct engagement with producers in Shaq El-Thoaban, one of Egypt’s most important marble and granite industrial zones located on the outskirts of Cairo.
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Shaq El-Thoaban has long served as a major hub for stone cutting, finishing and export activity, but many operators there have faced regulatory and licensing challenges over the years.
The minister said the government is also taking steps to legalise previously unlicensed operations in cooperation with the Cairo Governorate, with licensing procedures being facilitated through the Industrial Development Authority.
Officials say that formalising more of the sector is essential not only for boosting state revenue and improving standards, but also for attracting larger-scale domestic and foreign investment.
To support the reforms, the ministry plans to establish an advisory committee made up of representatives from relevant ministries, public institutions and the Federation of Egyptian Industries.
The body will be tasked with providing technical and strategic guidance to help modernise the sector and support long-term growth.
Hashem also said Egypt aims to increase the number of operational quarries by the end of 2026, signalling a broader drive to expand extraction capacity and geographic coverage.
Authorities believe that greater collaboration between government agencies, private investors and industry stakeholders will be key to unlocking the sector’s full potential.
If successful, the initiative could help raise export earnings, improve industrial output and strengthen Egypt’s standing in the international marble and granite trade, where competition remains intense from producers in countries such as Turkey, India, China and Italy.
For Egypt, the sector represents a relatively underdeveloped export opportunity — one officials hope can become a bigger contributor to jobs, manufacturing and much-needed hard currency.
