Once a modest player in the global market, Egypt’s chemical industry has rapidly grown, significantly contributing to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), and driving economic growth to the country. The petrochemical sector accounts for about 3 percent of Egypt’s GDP and 12 percent of its industrial output, with an annual value of around USD 7 billion (EGP 354.76 billion), according to Arab Finance. The sector encompasses a diverse range of subfields, including plastics, rubber, paper, detergents, paints, chemicals, fertilizers, and glass. “[The] chemicals industry is one of the leading sectors for Egyptian exports, significantly contributing to employment GDP,” Heba Salah, economic expert and policy analyst at the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), told Arab Finance. The industry accounts for 10 percent of manufacturing jobs and output, and 15.5 percent of exports from 2018 to 2020, primarily producing plastics and fertilizers using the country’s petroleum and gas resources, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 2021 report reveals. In the first half of 2024, chemical exports reached USD 4 billion (EGP 202.72 billion), making the sector the second-largest contributor to non-oil exports. However, despite these export gains, Egypt…
