Industry minister reviews digital manufacturing capabilities at AOI

Egypt’s Industry Minister Khaled Hashem visited the Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) at the Arab Organization for Industrialization’s (AOI) Engine Factory in Helwan to assess its production capabilities and potential to expand the local manufacturing of industrial components, spare parts and equipment.

The visit is part of the Ministry of Industry’s efforts to assess national industrial capabilities, localize advanced technologies and deepen domestic manufacturing.

Hashem was accompanied by AOI Chairperson Mohamed Abdel Fattah Abu Bakr, Engine Factory Chairperson Gamal Ramadan, Wang Long, Chairman of Dongfeng Import and Export Company, and ministry officials.

During the visit, factory officials briefed the minister on the centre’s technological and production capabilities. The facility employs Industry 4.0 technologies, including multi-axis machining centres, computer-controlled turning and milling machines, advanced measurement systems, dynamic balancing units and an electronic tool management system.

These technologies enable the centre to undertake precision manufacturing operations and produce a range of industrial components, spare parts and equipment.

Hashem said the Ministry of Industry aimed to accelerate technological transformation and promote smart manufacturing to strengthen Egypt’s industrial base, increase domestic production and exports, and enhance the integration of Egyptian manufacturers into regional and global value chains.

He stressed the importance of maximising the use of the centre’s production capacity, localizing advanced technologies and developing technical and engineering expertise to increase local value added and enhance the competitiveness of domestic industries, particularly engineering and supporting industries.

Abu Bakr said the centre contributed to the government’s efforts to deepen local manufacturing and localize technology across both defence and civilian industries, supporting the state’s drive to expand the production of Egyptian-made goods.

He added that the facility had localized the production of components for several products, including water pumps used in water treatment, wastewater and industrial drainage plants. Its output also helps meet the needs of the presidential Decent Life initiative, which aims to improve living conditions in rural communities.

The AOI chairperson said the organization continued to cooperate with major local and international companies to manufacture spare parts and industrial equipment, with the aim of expanding production capabilities, strengthening supply chains and improving the competitiveness of locally made products.

The visit also included discussions on potential cooperation with Chinese company Dongfeng. Abu Bakr said the AOI was seeking to strengthen coordination with the Ministry of Industry and explore opportunities for industrial cooperation with the company, while making greater use of the manufacturing capabilities available across its factories.