PROBLEMS AND ISSUES
Although there are no statistical facts about this industry in Egypt, handicrafts are suffering from government neglect where there is no exhibitions and galleries inside and outside Egypt that allow this industry to promote and market the Arabic heritage represented in handicraft. The diversity of the handicrafts in Egypt is expressed on textiles, metals precious and semi-precious, wood, precious and semi-precious stones, ceramic and glass.
Low capital investment, skilled labor, diversified products, flexible production are few important features of Egyptian handicraft industry. However, Lack of infrastructure and technological support, lack of awareness of international and poor promotional campaigns, lack of awareness about new traditions and among craftsmen are a few drawbacks of industry which needs to be overcome. Besides that, one of the main problems facing handicraft industry is the domination of Chinese counterfeit goods in the local market, according to Egypt independent news website, and this is due to lack of regulatory capacity that makes unauthorized production possible.
The Egyptian handicrafts industry is highly labor
intensive, small shops based and decentralized industry. The industry is mainly
in rural and urban areas. There are no manufacturing units. However, there is
huge market potential in all Egyptian cities and abroad. Handicraft industry is
a major source of income employing a massive number of artisans including a
large number of people belonging to the weaker sections of the society.
