Why Egypt

This stage is about deciding whether Egypt belongs on your shortlist. Most investors compare three to five countries on the same handful of factors: what it costs to produce, which markets they can sell into and on what terms, whether the yarn, fabric and trims they need are close by, and how quickly goods reach their customers.

Market access. Egypt's trade agreements reach far beyond its own market. Industrial goods, including textiles and apparel, enter the EU duty-free under the Association Agreement, and the UK, the EFTA countries and Türkiye under their own agreements. To the south and east, COMESA, the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Greater Arab Free Trade Area open African and Arab markets, including the Gulf. For the United States, garments made in one of six Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) can enter duty-free if they meet the QIZ content rules — see Stage 2.

Costs. The private-sector minimum wage is EGP 7,000 a month (about US$135), close to Bangladesh's garment minimum wage and well below Morocco's or Türkiye's. Always compare full costs — wages, energy, rent, freight and duties — on the same basis for every country you are considering.

Supply base. Egypt's industry runs from spinning and weaving through dyeing and finishing to garment making, so yarn, fabric and finished garments can often be sourced in one country. Better Work Egypt estimates around 1.5 million people work in textiles and around 2.5 million in ready-made garments (the two figures may overlap). The Egytex Directory lists the companies by product and location.

Lead times. Egypt has four main container gateways — Alexandria, Damietta, Port Said East and Ain Sokhna — and sits on the Suez Canal. Sea transit to Rotterdam is about 14 days, and to New York about 21 days with transshipment.