DEVELOPMENT OF ETHNIC EGYPTIAN
PRODUCTS (DEEP) -
Digging Deep Into Our Cultural Heritag
Ethn ic Products are a sustainable means of livelihood for a large proportion of the labor
force in Egypt.The ethnic and craft industries' potential for job creation and labor
absorption is one of the major attractions of this industry. Not only does it provide
income generation opportunities for groups which have limited access to resources,
but also offers employment opportunities for the most economically disadvantaged people in society. It requires small capital investments and provides high value addition
in compar ison to other manufacturing sectors, simple tools and a relatively short period
of apprenticeship or training depending on the intricacy of the craft.
DEEP program sets out a comprehensive set of priorities in areas within the scope of
the IMC.Among these priorities, improving quality of life and standard of living; increasing
employment opportunities and reducing unemployment; reducing poverty and
consolidating the role of institutions, increase rates of economic growth and investments;
increase female participation in development; achieve a significant expansion in the
production and exports capacities; improve industrial potentials; promote innovation,
scientific research and technological development and preserve the environment.
Ethnic and Handicrafts are linked to and are impacted by the development in other
industries namely the tourism industry and the formal manufacturing and retail sectors.
Successful development of the ethnic and craft sector in developing countries has been
dependent on sustained support and intervention from government in addition to
assistance of international development bodies and trade agencies (such as Alternative
Trade Organizations) to access international markets.
The objective of DEEP program
'To integrate Egyptian Ethnic products in the International supply chain and develop branded ethnic products revolving around consumption habits."
To achieve this objective DEEP program will work to enhance the capabilities and the
opportunities for marginalized producers, namely through capacity building and institutional
development, vocational training and technical assistance, design and product development,
promotion and marketing, advocacy and FairTrade principles and practices.
Eligibility criteria:
Small and micro production units, producing products of the same category or
complimentary to each other, show convergence in the conditions and geographical area
Show potential for growth and economic environment
The client contribution is determined for the participating members of the cluster on the basis of 10% of the lower Egypt and 5% of upper Egypt of the total cost of the provided services. The participation of each member of the cluster should be on equal sharing basis.
In addition to supporting Ethnic and handicrafts producers DEEP program is working
on the institutional support and the following activities:
Compiling a comprehensive list of marketable ethnic and handicrafts products
Officially register these lists as National cultural heritage
Documenting the traditional production processes and cultural connotations associated
with International Property Rights
The Range of Egyptian Ethnic products
I - Hand-made Textiles:
These include a rich range of textile crafts namely hand-knotted and kilims, hand
woven textiles for garments and home textiles, hand embroidered textiles, hand
knitted and crocheted products and finally the very distinctive Khayameya, or Egyptian
patchwork.Textile crafts also include hand-woven carpets of wool and silk materials.
Textile crafts span the whole of Egypt as they are practiced in most environments
and each area has its distinctive output. Many NGOs are active in training and
production of hand made textiles.
2- Glass Ware:
This is a mostly urban craft practiced in Cairo that includes hand-made blown glass from
recycled materials and a recently introduced range of Glass-Pyrex products that are meeting
promising demand from the tourist sector Stained glass inlaid in gypsum or joined with
lead is an old craft that adorned churches and mosques windows.
3- Pottery and Ceramics:
They are found in both the rural and urban settings using the locally sourced clay. The final product varies from functional ware (cooking pots and table ware) to decorative items (vases, statuettes and plates). Their quality also varies with the type of clay glazing, ovens and craftsmanship:
The Aswan clay is known to produce durable, light weight and healthy cooking pots
and dishes (tajin) that are produced in many villages in Upper Egypt
The area of Fayoum boasts a number of pottery and faience workshops that came
to life and are surviving
As for the pottery cluster in Old Cairo, it includes a long established community of
potters and has benefitted from the funding and technical assistance of the Italian
Egyptian Debt for Development Swap program which built a new pottery village
consisting of 32 equipped workshops.
There are several renowned pottery and ceramic designers in Cairo who have their
distinctive designs and creations
4. Copper and Metal works including Silver:
Egyptian artisans are known for their skill in working with metals. Copper and silver shaping
and engraving is concentrated in Islamic Cairo. El Nahasseen is the coppersmiths district near
Khan el Khalili where there are several workshops st ill surviving, wh ile wrought iron is produced
in Sabteya. However, 75 workshops are found in many parts of Cairo depending on demand.
5. Wood work:
Although Egypt is not a producer of timber, wood crafts are as old as the Pharaonic ages. Wood crafts range from furniture making and carpentry, wood carving, wood engraving and inlaying to produce a vast variety of wooden products.
6.Stone crafts:
The existence of alabaster, marble, granite and other stones in the Egyptian desert has made of Egyptians good stone craftsmen.This craft holds untapped potential for the Egyptian craft sector and the saddle material.
7. Leather crafts:
Hand-made jackets, purses, bags, sandals and shoes as well as cushions, poufs and home accessories
are made of local animal skins. Some product designs include leather embossing, burning and gilding.
8. Jewelry making and Gold work:
These are ancient crafts that Egyptians mastered since the time of the Pharaohs. Egyptian jewelry designs include Ancient Egyptian, Islamic, folkloric and eclectic styles drawing from Turkish, Persian, European and Armenian influences.
9. Traditional Egyptian Food:
The ancient agricultural methods and crop composition, which had remained unchanged over
thousands of years, allowed ample time for food habits to take root and for the gradual emergence
of a nutritionally balanced diet that is in harmony with the existing ecosystem and which satisfies
the nutritional requirements of the people. Continuity was guaranteed through the keepers of
culinary tradition, namely the fellaheen(farming community) women, and through the ritual foods
of the Copts, the Orthodox Christians of Egypt.The Egyptian has inherited an indigenous food
system and traditional food habits that can guarantee a balanced diet.
Technical Assistance services offered to Ethnic & handicrafts producers
I - Production Capacity Building:
Enhancing the capacity of producers to increase the diversity, volumes and improve the quality of crafts to respond to market opportunities
Disseminate and support the implementation of quality standards (eco-label)
Understand and respond to international specifically different International
Market designs, delivery, quality etc.
Modern usage incorporation into new designs and function
2- Branding and Promotion:
Building the image of Egyptian Ethnic Products by creating awareness as a
supply source of Ethnic products to the EU market capitalizing on the image
of Egypt with rich historical and cultural legacy
Website design and development
Product catalogue
Integrating the Egyptian Ethnic products into anlnternational communication
and marketing campaign
Showcasing entails establishing model outlets for Egyptian Ethnic Products
3) MarketAccess and Trade Enhancement:
Accessing the International Ethnic and Crafts distribution chains and linking to
local producers
Market entry Issues through pursuing aggressive market activities
Trade linkages with Mediterranean
clusters
Participation in trade missions, fairs and exhibitions
