CAIRO, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese glassware manufacturer Deli Glass Group will invest 70 million U.S. dollars in Egypt to produce household glassware, according to the group's chairperson.
Shi Weidong, chairman of the group, announced at a groundbreaking ceremony on July 2 at the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone.
-- Deli's first factory in Africa
The group's first African production base, located in the China-Egypt TEDA Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, will be implemented in phases with a total investment of 70 million U.S. dollars.
The project's first phase will install a state-of-the-art automated glass kiln with 250 tons daily melting capacity, reaching more than 400 tons of daily production at full operation.
"The site will focus on producing high-quality household glassware and aim to become a modern industrial cluster integrating research and development, manufacturing, advanced processing, packaging, logistics, and export of household glassware," Shi said.
Wei Jianqing, general manager of China-Africa TEDA Investment Co., Ltd., the developer of the cooperation zone, said that the large-scale project will create high-quality jobs for Egypt and also help advance the country's glass manufacturing technology and enhance its standing in the global industry.
"Approved on July 1 and launched on July 2, the project's rapid progress demonstrates the efficiency and vitality of China-Egypt cooperation and the shared commitment to developing Egypt's industry," Wei said.
-- Raw materials primarily locally sourced
Egypt possesses abundant, high-quality quartz sand and other minerals essential for glass production, so local resources meet most needs.
"We eagerly await a soda ash project under construction," Shi said, "It will boost locally sourced raw materials to 90 percent."
While demand for premium, stable-supply glass has surged, Egypt still relies on high-end imports -- a gap Deli Egypt will address by upgrading local industry through advanced technology and management to build strong regional brand influence.
Deli Glass Egypt will implement a "local + export" dual strategy: capturing Egypt's domestic market through diverse product offerings, premium quality, and responsive service, while leveraging Egypt's geographic advantages and free trade agreements to efficiently export (70 percent projected capacity) to global markets including the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and South America.
-- A blueprint for expansion
Establishing its African manufacturing base enables Deli to distribute production capacity globally while mitigating trade risks and reducing export barriers.
"As the inaugural implementation of Deli's 'global resources + local manufacturing + global sales' model, the Egypt project establishes a blueprint for expansion into emerging markets, boosting both risk resilience and Deli's global competitiveness and industry influence," Shi said.
Waleid Gamal El-Dein, chairman of the General Authority of Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), said the project is expected to diversify and strengthen Egypt's industrial chain, create jobs for Egyptian youth, and contribute to advancing the country's industrial development.
According to a statement issued by the SCZone, the project will cover an area of 120,000 square meters and be built in two phases. The first phase is expected to be inaugurated in the second half of 2026 and create 500 jobs.
(Contributed by Zhang Jian and Dong Xiuzhu, edited by Yang Linlin with Xinhua Silk Road, linlinyanglyn@163.com)
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