Cairo: Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem asserted the ministry's commitment to providing comprehensive support to serious companies contributing to the localization of food industries and the enhancement of value-added production, in a way that ensures meeting domestic demand for essential commodities. This announcement was made during his meeting with a delegation from Savola Group, led by CEO Sameh Hassan, to review the company's operations in the Egyptian market and its expansion plans for the coming period. According to State Information Service Egypt, the minister emphasized the importance of the food industries sector, describing it as one of the most vital and fastest-growing sectors in the Egyptian economy. The sector plays a key role in supporting GDP growth and boosting exports. During the meeting, the Savola Group delegation presented an overview of their business development in Egypt since commencing operations in 1996. The company currently operates six factories in Egypt, including two sugar p roduction plants, one edible oil plant, and three pasta manufacturing facilities. The products from these facilities primarily cater to the local market, with a portion exported to several neighboring countries. The discussion also addressed the key challenges facing the group and potential solutions to enhance their operations. Hashem highlighted the strategic importance of the sugar industry as a cornerstone of food security and market stability, stressing the state's direction toward increasing domestic production and improving manufacturing efficiency to achieve greater self-sufficiency. Hassan reiterated Savola Group's commitment to expanding its investments in Egypt, citing the Egyptian market as one of the group's most significant, ranking second after Saudi Arabia in terms of investment volume.