Cairo: Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli affirmed that the organization of the 'Turathna' (Our Heritage) exhibition for the seventh consecutive year, under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, underscores the political leadership's interest in the handicrafts sector and in the thousands of artisans with their distinctive products that help preserve Egypt's ancient civilization and express the country's cultural diversity.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Madbouli noted that this also offers millions of jobs across the governorates, and that handicraft and heritage products are currently showing remarkable development and increasing public demand, enabling them to compete in local markets and reach global ones. The Prime Minister's remarks came Saturday 4/10/2025 while inaugurating on behalf of President El Sisi the seventh edition of the 'Turathna 2025' exhibition for handicraft and heritage products.
Madbouli said that all state institutions are coordinating to establish an integrated system to support this sector, helping project owners develop their products and access global markets. He noted that the handicrafts strategy has been announced, with a vision for Egypt to become a leading center for craft production and exportation globally by creating a supportive environment that maximizes the sector's participation in economic and social development and establishes sustainable local supply chains.
He added that a steering committee is being formed, chaired by the Minister of Social Solidarity and includes the CEO of Egypt's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) and representatives from relevant ministries. The committee would implement the national handicrafts strategy for 2025-2030.
Madbouly confirmed that the 'Turathna' exhibition features a diverse participation of project owners from across the country, especially from Upper Egypt, Sinai, and border governorates, and includes projects from Halayeb and Shalateen with distinctive products. He also said the MSMEDA organizes the exhibition in partnership with ministries, banks, companies, universities, local and international institutions, and development partners.
He noted that each year, new project owners are added-in this edition, 34% are new-and participation includes people with disabilities. The Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation toured the exhibition, visiting the national pavilions of the participating countries, including Tunisia (the guest of honor this year), the UAE, Jordan, Algeria, and Pakistan. He expressed his appreciation for their participation and affirmed Egypt's welcome to all brotherly countries, hoping for their continuous involvement to make the exhibition a meeting point for diverse cultures.
Exhibitors from various countries thanked the Egyptian government for providing them the opportunity to showcase their products at this large expo. Madbouly also visited the 'Creative Egypt' pavilion (a program of the Industrial Modernization Center under the Ministry of Industry), and the pavilions of the Ministries of Social Solidarity, Culture, Local Development, and those of Halayeb and Shalateen.
At the end of his tour, the prime minister praised the variety of products presented by the countries and participating entities, emphasizing President El Sisi's keenness to continue holding this exhibition every year as part of the state's vision to preserve handicrafts and heritage.